
W'M. MCKIXLEY, rilESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 

OF THE Army and Navy. 



HISTORY OF 



THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



WITH A COMPLETE RECORD OF ITS CAUSES, WITH INCIDENTS 

OF THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY IN THE 

WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 



BY 

JOHN R. MUSICK, 

Author of "The Columbian Historical Novels," "Hawaii Our New 

Possessions," "History' Stories of Missouri," "Lights and 

Shadows of Our War with Spain," etc., etc.. 



FULLY ILLUSTRATED. 



(Copyright 1898 bv J. S. Ogilvik Pubushing Co.) 



NEW YORK : 

J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

57 Rose Street. 



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2nd COPY, 
1898. 



PREFACE. 



The American people above all others demand a 
history of any important event which may take 
place in their country, and for this reason this his- 
tory has been written, with as much care as was 
possible to bestow upon it. Our relations with Spain 
were strained for a great many years and after the 
blowing up of the Maine war was inevitable. We 
have endeavored to briefly give the causes, and long 
series of injuries, that led up to the war. In our 
humble opinion war should have been declared in 
1873, but the punishment Spain then deserved was 
only deferred twenty-five years. 

There have been many criticisms on the manner 
in which the war was conducted, but of these we 
have nothing to say. It is our duty to give the 
facts and let the world draw conclusions. 

The war witli Sj^ain is perhaps the smallest great 
war ever known. The loss on one side, in one great 
battle of the Civil AVar, or Franco-Prussian War was 
many times greater than all killed and wounded on 
both sides, yet it produced history and geography. 



IV PREFACE. 

It changed the whole bent of the American mind. 
Ten years ago expansionists were unheard of, five 
years ago there were few, and they were fanatics; 
to-day expansion is the watchword. The great 
victories of the war were with the navy. The world 
awoke to the fact that America had a navy on May 
1, 1898, when Dewey met the Spanish Admiral 
Montejo in Manila Bay. This victory, accentuated 
by Schley and Sampson at Santiago on Sunday, 
July 8, 1898, convinced the world that the American 
navy was invincible. Two of Spain's fleets destroyed, 
thousands of her officers and sailors killed and 
wounded, with a loss of only one killed and a few 
wounded on the American side. Such victories 
made America king of the sea. 

The chief campaign of importance was at Santi- 
ago under Major-General William R. Shafter. This 
campaign though brilliant has met with criticism. 
I believe that General Shafter did his duty and did 
the best he could under the circumstances. He 
landed his troops, went over the mountains, and 
assaulted the enemy. Though he lost some men, 
his losses were not nearly so great as General U. S. 
Grant's, even in proportion to the forces engaged. 
Where he lost by tens, Grant lost by thousands, and 
yet with many. Grant is the ideal military man of 
America. 

To the Volunteer soldiers belong much of the 
credit. A citizen in time of peace, a soldier at his 



PREFACE. V 

country's call, he fought side by side Avith those 
whose profession is war, and performed prodigies. 

A statue should be erected for the brave Volun- 
teers of the Hispano- American War. A higher 
statue should be erected to the countless thousands 
of brave Americans who were anxious to serve their 
country, but were compelled to remain at home and 
read of laurels won. 

The war has been fought and Spain is to be driven 
from the Western Hemisphere. America has grown 
to a giant to whom the world bows in reverence. 
England, our time-honored enemy, seeks an alliance 
with us, and the War Lord of Europe, who began 
to bluster over the Philippines, has gracefully doffed 
his silver helmet to Uncle Sam, and recommended 
that he settle the matter as he pleased. 

The war has demonstrated that no ship or gun is 
powerful enough to do serious damage to a land 
battery, and that land battles must be fought on 
land. It has demonstrated that dynamite is risky 
and torpedo boats a failure, but that the great per- 
suading power and highest law is a thirteen-inch gun 
with men who know how to use it. 

John K. Musiok, 



DEDICATION. 



TO THE 

THOUSANDS OF BRAVE VOLUNTEERS 

WHO GAVE 

Their Services to Their Country, 

AND THE 

Countless Thousands of Patriots 

who were willing to give their services 

had they been needed. 

this book 

is dedicated by the 

Author. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

CHAPTER I. 

Spanish Barbarity— Decay of Spanish Power in the Western 
Hemisphere, and the Cause 43 

CHAPTER II. 
The Cause of America in the Spanish-American Quarrel 66 

CHAPTER III. 

A Change of Political Parties— Cuba Still Neglected— McKin- 
ley's Conservative but Eesolute Course— Blowing Up of 
the Maine 94 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Ultimatum— The Blockade— The First Guns of the War- 
Bombardment of Matanzas 107 

CHAPTER V. 

Faith in the Asiatic Squadron— Admiral Dewey— His Great 
Victory at Manila 138 

CHAPTER VI. 

Eepulsed at Cardenas— Ensign Willard's Heroic Act— Bom- 
bardment of San Juan 159 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Voyage of the Oregon— Organizing the Volunteer Army 
—Difficulties Met— Spain's Elusive Fleet— Sons of Fathers 

—Waiting to Start— Leaf from a Soldier's Diary 179 

33 



34 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

FAGE. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Keinforcements Sent to Dewey— Germany's Strange Pro- 
tests-President's Second Call for 75,000 Men— Blockad- 
ing Santiago— Hobson's Daring Exploit— Gallant Defense 
at Guantanamo by Colonel Huntington's Marines 195 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Invading Army Under General Shafter— The Voyage- 
Landing of Troops 218 

CHAPTER X. 

The Advance— Eough Eiders Entrapped— Skirmish at La 
Quasina— Desperate Conflicts at San Juan Heights and El 
Caney— A Daring Attack at Manzanillo 231 

CHAPTER XI. 

Cervera's Desperate Dash— Destruction of the Entire Fleet— 
Hobson's Exchange— Rumors again of Peace — The Cadiz 
Fleet Reported to be Returning to Spain— Decision to 
Send a War Fleet to the Spanish Coast 258 

CHAPTER XII. 

Bombardment and Surrender of Santiago— The Correspon- 
dence— Shafter's Report— Number of Arms and Prisoners 
—General Terms 275 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Expeditions Sail for Manila at Last— Dewey's Trouble with 
German War Vessels— General Merritt and His Young 
Wife— Capture of the Ladrones— Trouble with Germans— 
The Insurgents defiant 303 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Conditions About Santiago— Garcia Indignant— His Letter 
to Shafter— Examination of Forts and Slight Damage 
—American and Spanish Soldiers Fraternizing 322 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Porto Eican Expedition— General Miles in Command- 
Selection of Transports— The Expedition Sails 346 



TABLE OF CONTENTS, 35 

PAOS. 

CHAPTER XYI. 

Spain, Through the French Ambassador, Sues for Peace— The 
President's Reply— Terrible State of Affairs at Santiago- 
Roosevelt's Letter 365 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Miles Reaches Porto Rico— The First Landing— Skirmish at 
Guanica— Surrender of Ponce— The Army on the March- 
Flowers and Flags 384 

CHAPTER XYIII. 

Manila Again— More Trouble with Aguinaldo— General Mer- 
ritt Arrives— First Land Engagement General Greene's 
Lines Attacked during a Typhoon— Enemy Repulsed 411 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Miles Continues to Advance— Enemy more Hostile— Skir- 
mishes Along the Way— Capture of Coama— Halted by 
Peace 425 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Protocol Signed— Basis of Treaty— Last Shots of the 
War— Blackade Raised— Entering Havana— Capture of 
Manila— Germany's Violation of Neutrality— The Peace 
Commission— Their Work— Conclusion 443 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



THE WAR SHIPS OF THE U. S. NAYY. 

PAGE. 

The Cruiser Atlanta 176 

The Cruiser Brooklyn 184 

The Cruiser Baltimore 192 

The Cruiser Columbia 200 

The Cruiser Charleston 208 

The Torpedo Boat Cushing 216 

The Cruiser Chicago 224: 

The Cruiser Cincinnati 23^ 

The Battleship Indiana 240 

The Cruiser Marblehead 248 

The Battleship Massachusetts 264 

The Monitor Monterey 280 

The Monitor Miantonomoh 296 

The Battleship Maine 312 

The Cruiser New York 328 

The Battleship Oregon 344 

The Monitor Puritan 360 

The Cruiser Raleigh 368 

The Battleship Texas , 37.6 

The Dynamite Cruiser Vesuvius 384 



PORTRAITS. 

Wm. McKinley, President, and Commander-in-Chief 
OF THE Army and Navy Frontispiece 

Captain-General Blanco, Commander of the Spanish 
Forces in Cuba 72 

36 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 37 

PAGE. 

Major-General Wesley Merritt 80 

Captain Robley D. Evans 88 

Stewart L. Woodford, U. S. Minister to Spain 96 

Rear-Admiral W. T. Sampson , 104 

Major-General Nelson A. Miles 112 

Major-General Joseph Wheeler 120 

Major-General Fitzhugh Lee 128 

Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson 136 

Major-General William R. Shafter 144 

Commodore Winfield S. Schley 152- 

Rear-Admiral George Dewey 160^ 

Captain Charles D. Sigsbee 168 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



A Typical American Soldier 392 

At the Hospital 400 

Ramming a Charge 400 

Firing a Gun 416 

Writing a Letter Home 416 

A Member of Troop C of Brooklyn, Before and 

After Enlistment 432 

Marching to the Mess Hall at Noon 432 

Recruits to be Uniformed 440 

Every Soldier His Own Laundryman 440 

Building a Torpedo Boat 456 



DESCRIPTION OF THE WAR VESSELS 
OF THE U. S. NAVY. 



THE CRUISER ATLANTA. 

Protected cruiser. Single screw. Commissioned July 19, 
1886. Length, 271 feet 3 inches ; breadth, 42 feet If inches ; draft, 
16 feet 10 inches ; displacement, 3,000 tons ; speed, 15^ knots. 

Main battery, six 6-inch and two 8-inch breech loading rifles. 
Secondary battery, two 6-pounder, two 3-pounder and four 1- 
pounder rapid fire guns, two 47-millimetre Hotchkiss revolving 
cannon, and two gatlings. Thickness of protective deck, Ij 
inches on the slope and flat. 19 officers ; 265 men. Contract 
price, $617,000. 

THE CRUISER BROOKLYN. 

Armored cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned December 1, 
1896. Length, 400 feet ; breadth, 64 feet ; draft, 24 feet ; displace- 
ment, 9,271 tons ; speed, 21.91 knots. 

Main battery, eight 8-inch breech loading rifles and twelve 
5-inch rapid fire guns. Secondary battery, twelve 6-pounder 
and four 1-pounder rapid fire guns, and four gatlings. 46 officers ; 
515 men. Cost, $2,986,000. 



THE CRUISER BALTIMORE. 

Protected cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned January?, 
1890. Length, 327 feet 6 inches ; breadth, 48 feet 7^ inches ; draft, 
19 feet 6 inches ; displacement, 4,413 tons ; speed, 20 knots. 

Main battery, four 8-inch and six 6-inch breech loading rifles. 
Secondary battery, four 6-pounder, two 3-pounder and two 1- 
pounder rapid fire guns, four 37-millimetre Hotchkiss revolving 
cannon, and two gatlings. Thickness of protective deck, 4 
inches on slope, 2^ on the flat. 36 officers ; 350 men. Contract 
price, $1,325,000. 

38 



WAB VESSELS OF THE U. 8. NA VY, 39 

THE CRUISER COLUMBIA. 

Protected cruiser. Triple screw. Commissioned April 3, 
1894, Length, 412 feet ; breadth, 58 feet 21 inches ; draft, 22 feet 
6| inches : displacement, 7,375 tons ; speed, 22 knots. 

Main battery, one 8-inch breech loading rifle, two 6-inch and 
eight 4-inch rapid fire guns. Secondary battery, twelve 6- 
pounder and four 1-pounder rapid fire guns, and four gatlings. 
Thickness of protective deck, 4 inches on slopes, 2^ inches on the 
flat. 35 ofiQcers ; 429 men. Cost, $2,725,000. 



THE CRUISER CHARLESTON. 

Protected cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned December 
26, 1889. Length, 312 feet 7 inches; breadth, 46 feet 2 inches; 
draft, 18 feet 7 inches ; displacement, 3,730 tons ; speed, 18 knots. 

Main battery, two 8-inch and six 6-inch breech loading rifles. 
Secondary battery, four 6-pounder, two 3-pounder and two 1- 
pounder rapid fire guns, four 37-millimetre Hotchkiss revolving 
cannon, and two gatlings. Thickness of protective deck, 3 
inches on the slope, 2 inches on the flat. 20 officers ; 280 men. 
Contract price, $1,017,500. 



THE TORPEDO BOAT CUSHING. 

Steel torpedo boat. Twin screw. Commissioned April 22, 
1890. Length, 138 feet 9 inches ; breadth, 14 feet 3 inches ; draft, 
4 feet 10 inches ; displacement, 105 tons ; speed, 22| knots. 

Armament, three 1-pounder rapid fire guns. Torpedo tubes, 
three 18-inch Whitehead. 3 officers ; 20 men. Cost, $82,750. 



THE CRUISER CHICAGO. 

Protected cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned April 17, 
1889. Length, 325 feet; breadth, 48 feet 2 inches; draft, 19 feet; 
displacement, 4,500 tons ; speed, 15 knots. 

Main battery, four 8-inch, eight 6-inch and two 5-inch breech 
loading rifles. Secondary battery, nine 6-pounder and four 1- 
pounder rapid fire guns, two 37-millimetre Hotchkiss revolving 
cannon, and two gatlings. Thickness of protective deck, IJ 
inches on slope and flat. 33 officers ; 376 men. Cost, $889,000. 



40 WAR VESSELS OF THE U. S. NA VY. 

THE CRUISER CINCINNATI. 

Protected cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned June 16, 
1894, Length, 300 feet ; breadth, 42 feet ; draft, 18 feet ; displace- 
ment, 3,213 tons ; speed, 19 knots. 

Main battery, ten 5-inch and one G-inch rapid fire guns. 
Secondary battery, eight 6-pounder and two 1-pounder rapid fire 
guns, and two gatlings. Thiclcness of protective deck, 2J inches 
on slopes, 1 inch on the flat. 20 officers ; 202 men. Cost, $1,100,000. 

THE BATTLESHIP INDIANA. 

Battleship. Twin screw. Commissioned November 20, 1895, 
Length, 348 feet ; breadth, 69 feet 3 inches ; draft, 24 feet ; dis- 
placement, 10,288 tons ; speed, 16 knots. 

Main battery, four 13-inch, eight 8-inch and four 6-inch 
breech loading rifles. Secondary battery, twenty 6-pounder and 
six 1-pounder rapid fire guns, and four gatlings. Thickness of 
armor, 18 inches. 36 officers ; 434 men. Cost, $3,020,000. 

THE CRUISER MARBLEHEAD. 

Unarmored cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned April 2, 
1894. Length, 257 feet ; breadth, 37 feet ; draft, 14 feet 7 inches ; 
displacement, 2,089 tons ; speed, 19 knots. 

Main battery, nine 5-inch rapid fire guns. Secondary battery, 
six 6-pounder and two 1-pounder rapid fire guns, and two gat- 
lings. 20 officers ; 254 men. Cost, $674,000. 



THE BATTLESHIP MASSACHUSETTS. 

Coast line battleship. Twin screw. Length on water line, 
348 feet ; breadth, 69 feet 3 inches ; draft, 24 feet ; displacement, 
10,288 tons ; speed, 16,2 knots. 

Main battery, four 13-inch, eight 8-inch and four 6-inch guns. 
Secondary battery, four 1-pounder and twenty 6-pounder rapid 
fire guns, and four gatlings. Armor, 17, 10 and 8 inches over bar- 
bette, and 17, %\ and 6 inches over turret; other armor, 18, 14 and 
5 inches near battery. 37 officers ; 438 men. Cost, $3,020,000. 

THE MONITOR MONTEREY. 

Coast defence monitor. Length, 256 feet; breadth, 59 feet; 
draft, 14 feet ; displacement, 4,084 tons ; speed, 13.6 knots. 

Main battery, four 10-inch rifles in two turrets. Secondary 
battery of rapid fire guns. Heavily armored on barbettes and 
turrets. 



WAR VESSELS OF THE U. S. NA VY, 41 

THE MONITOR MIANTONOMOH. 

Coast defense monitor. Commissioned Oct. 27, 1891. Length, 
259 feet 6 inches ; breadth, 55 feet 10 inches ; draft, 14 feet 6 in- 
ches ; displacement, 3,990 tons ; speed, 10 knots. 

Main battery, four 10-inch breech loading rifles. Secondary 
battery, two 6-pounder, two 3-pounder and two 1-pounder rapid 
fire guns. Thickness of armor, 7 inches. 13 officers ; 136 men. 

THE BATTLESHIP MAINE. 

Battleship. Twin screw. Commissioned September 17, 1895. 
Length, 318 feet; breadth, 57 feet; draft, 21 feet 6 inches; dis- 
placement, 6,682 tons ; speed, 17| knots. 

Main battery, four 10-inch and six 6-inch breech loading rifles. 
Secondary battery, seven 6-pounder and eight l-pounder rapid 
fire guns, and four gatlings. Thickness of armor, 12 inches. 34 
ofQcers ; 370 men. Contract price, $2,500,000. 

THE CRUISER NEW YORK. 

Armored cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned August 1, 1893. 
Length, 380 feet 6i inches; breadth, 64 feet 10 inches ; draft, 23 
feet 3^ inches ; displacement, 8,200 tons ; speed, 21 knots. 

Main battery, six 8-inch breech loading rifles and twelve 4- 
inch rapid fire guns. Secondary battery, eight 6-pounder and 
four 1-pounder rapid fire guns, and four gatlings. Thickness of 
armor, 4 inches. 40 officers ; 526 men. Contract price, $2,985,000. 

THE BATTLESHIP OREGON. 

Battleship. Twin screw. Commissioned July 15, 1896. 
Length, 348 feet; breadth, 69 feet 3 inches; draft. 24 feet; dis- 
placement, 10,288 tons ; speed, 16.79 knots. 

Main battery, four 13-inch, eight 8-inch and four 6-inch 
breech loading rifles. Secondary battery, twenty 6 pounder and 
six 1-pounder rapid fire guns, and four gatlings. Armor on sides, 
18 inches thick. 32 officers ; 441 men. Cost, $3,180,000 ; premium 
earned, $175,000. 

THE MONITOR PURITAN. 

Coast defense monitor. Length, 289 feet 6 inches; breadth, 
60 feet 1^ inches; draft, 18 feet; displacement, 6,060 tons; speed, 
12.4 knots. 

Main battery, four 10-inch breech loading rifles. Secondary 
battery,two 6-pounder, two 3-pounder, two 37 millimetre machine 
guns and two gatlings. Thickness of armor on sides, 12 inches ; 
turrets and barbettes, 11| inches. Cost, $3,178,046. 



42 WAR VESSELS OF TEE U. S. NA VY. 

THE CRUISER RALEIGH. 

Protected cruiser. Twin screw. Length, 300 feet ; breadth, 
42 feet; draft, 18 feet; displacement, 3,213 tons; speed, 19 knots. 

Main battery, one 6-inch gun and ten 5-inch rapid fire guns. 
Secondary battery, eight 6-pounder and four 1-pounder rapid 
fire guns, and eleven gatlings. Protected steel deck, 2J inches 
thick. 20 officers ; 293 men. Cost, $1,100,000. 

THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS. 

Battleship. Twin screw. Commissioned August 15, 1895. 
Length, 301 feet 4 inches ; breadth, 64 feet 1 inch ; draft, 22 feet 
6 inches; displacement, 6,315 tons; speed, 16 knots. 

Main battery, two 12-inch and six 6-inch breech loading 
rifles. Secondary battery, twelve 6-pounder and six 1-pounder 
rapid fire guns, four 37-millimetre Hotchkiss revolving cannon 
and two gatlings. Thickness of armor, 12 inches. 30 officers ; 
362 men. Contract price, $2,500,000. 

THE DYNAMITE CRUISER VESUVIUS. 

Dynamite cruiser. Twin screw. Commissioned June 7, 1890. 
Length, 252 feet 4 inches ; breadth, 26 feet, 6g inches ; draft, 10 
feet 7^ inches ; displacement, 929 tons ; speed, 21| knots. 

Main battery, three dynamite guns, 15-inch calibre. Second- 
ary battery, three 3-pounder rapid fire guns. 6 officers ; 64 men. 
Cost, $350,000. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER I. 

SPANISH BARBAEITY — DECAY OF SPANISH POWER IN 
THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND THE CAUSE. 

To fully understand the cause of the war between 
the United States of America and Spain some 
knowledge of the history of the latter country and 
its policy in regard to its colonies in the New World 
is essential. To Spain, once one of the great powers 
of Europe, belongs the honor of the discovery of 
the New World with all its riches and beauties. 
But strange to say, scarce had the announcement 
been made that a new world existed across the ocean 
than herds of unscrupulous adventurers began to 
overrun the West Indies, South America and Mexico, 
in search of riches and honors. Pizarro, Cortez, 
Balboa, De Soto and Valasquez were really no less 
than so many legalized bandits sent to plunder, en- 
slave and murder the wretched inhabitants. They 
were men of great daring, men who endured wonder- 
ful hardships, men of perseverance and determina- 
tion, but their object was blood and plunder, and 



44 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

they are no more entitled to the name of heroes than 
Black-Beard, Lewis, Kidd, Morgan and the host of 
buccaneers who followed them centuries later. Not 
only robbery and enslavement of the natives, but 
the most inhuman barbarities and torture were per- 
petrated. 

Religious fanaticism, cupidity, and avarice have 
ever marked the Spaniards. They possessed a few 
good qualities and among them bravery may be 
counted. They are courteous and even hospitable 
to-day as they were in the days of chivalry, but 
with all their pride of ancestry they are licentious, 
vile, grasping, and unscrupulous. Years ago Buckle 
spoke of Spain as " a whale stranded on the coast of 
Europe." To-day the nation is in a state of moral 
decay and all her possessions in the AVest Indies 
were long ago touched with the slumber wand of 
her colonial policy. Nevertheless if Spain is defeated 
and crushed, she is still proud and reserved in 
her decay, and crumbles into dissolution with that 
air of self-respect which might characterize some 
seedy old gentleman of our aristocracy, fallen into 
reduced circumstances. 

Cuba was discovered by Columbus on his first 
voyage, and twenty years later colonized by the 
Spaniards from San Domingo. 

The history of the i«land of Cuba is one long tale 
of oppression and bloodshed, extending over a period 
of more than four hundred years. Spanish rule, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 45 

whether exercised upon the aljorigines, the blacks 
brought from Africa, or the whites who drove out 
the original natives, has been despotic and barbar- 
ous. One by one the vast possessions of Spain in 
the New World were swept from her, till at last, 
Cuba, the "ever faithful isle," and Porto Rico were 
all of importance that remained. It has been truly 
said that history repeats itself, and a brief review of 
the affairs of the island of Cuba, fi'om the time of 
Columbus to the present, shows the repetition to be 
frequent. The barbarities practiced to-day are only 
a shade less inhuman than those inflicted upon the 
natives shortly after the conquest of the island by 
the Spaniards. Hatuey, a native chief, was burned 
to death by the orders of Velasquez, one of the 
earlier governors, because he had taken up arms to 
preserve the integrity of his little territory. While 
burning at the stake he was urged by the priests to 
embrace Christianity, that his soul might find admis- 
sion into heaven. 

" Will white men go there ?" he asked. 

"They will," answered tlie priest. 

" Then I will not be a Chiistian ; for I would not 
go to a place where I must find men so cruel." * 

The island of Cuba, justly called the " Gem of the 
Antilles," is the largest and most western of the AVest 
Indies, and compared to the others, has nearly double 
superficial area. From east to west it is over seven 

*"S]stevan," Vol. II. Columbian Historical JN'ovels. 



46 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

hundred miles in length, and is twenty-two miles 
wide at its narrowest part. Its resources are great, 
its climate most salubrious, and its geogiaphical 
position made it the richest of all Spanish posses- 
sions. Its area is variously estimated at from 32,000 
to 48,000 square miles. Humboldt puts it at 43,000. 
Its climate makes it not only a favored resort for 
invalids, but renders it a most charming home for 
those in health. There is seldom mist, the atmos- 
phere is very clear, the sun is seldom obscured, and 
the appearance of the stars at night so brilliant that 
Fredericka Bremer, the German writer, says in one 
of her letters : '' The nights are very dark, but the 
darkness is as if transparent, the air is not felt. 
There could not be more beautiful nights in Para- 
dise." 

Although somewhat mountainous in the interior, 
much of the coast line is low, flat, and difficult to 
approach on account of the numerous reefs and small 
islands; notwithstanding this feature of the coast, it 
is said that no other island in the world has so many 
excellent harbors in comparison to its size. Of these, 
Havana, Matanzas, Bahia Honda, Mariel, Nuevitas, 
Nipe, and Cardenas on the north side, and Santiago 
de Cuba, Trinidad, Guaiitanamo, and Cienfuegos on 
the south side, are the principal and best known. 

The island of Cuba was divided into six provinces, 
the most thickly populated being Havana, and the 
least Puerto Principe. The total population before 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 47 

the last insurrection was estimated at over 1,600,000 
but it is computed that at least half a million 
since perished in battle, by disease, and by starva- 
tion. 

Although there is a large amount of cultivated 
land, there are no less than 20,000,000 acres of 
almost impenetrable forests, fully one-half of which 
has never been disturbed by man. The soil which 
has been cultivated is marvelously rich and produc- 
tive, as may be shown by the fact that, notwithstand- 
ing the hindrances to industrial enterprises through 
the misrule of Spain, the exports in 1893 were valued 
at ninety-three millions of Spanish dollars. 

Notwithstanding the prevalence of yellow fever 
in the seacoast cities and towns, the greater part of 
the island is said, under normal conditions, to be very 
healthy. Although not altogether in the tropics, it 
has all the characteristics of the torrid region. It 
has a wet and a dry season, and, excepting in a few 
spots in the mountains, not even light frosts. The 
prevailing temperature is not unpleasantly hot, the 
highest being rarely over eighty-two degrees, while 
the average is seventy-seven degrees. 

The chief agricultural products are sugar, coffee, 
and tobacco, of which the United States takes the 
greater part. In 1893 there were 815,894 tons of 
sugar produced, of which 718,204 tons were ex- 
ported, the United States taking 680,642 tons. Of 
227,000 bales of tobacco exported, two-thirds canie 



48 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

to this country, together with more than half the 
147,365,000 cigars made. But while the exports 
reached a total of ninety-three million Spanish dollars 
and the imports fifty-six millions, the taxation on the 
people reached nearly twenty-five millions. Of this 
tremendous burden, which is more than one-sixth the 
combined value of the imports and exports, less than 
one-half came from the customs, and one-fourth of 
the whole is entirely divested from the island to the 
uses of the Spanish crown. 

It is supposed that the negro race very nearly 
predominates in Cuba, but this is not the fact. Just 
before the rebellion it was estimated that there were 
less than half a million blacks on the island, opposed 
to more than a million whites and fifty thousand 
Chinese. Of the whites, the native born, or Cubans, 
are by far the best educated, the mass of Spanish 
residents and the neg;;roes beino; as a rule illiterate. 
Free from the oppression of Spain, there is no 
reason why the wealth of the island should not be 
enormous. 

Cuba has had many christenings, its first name, and 
that w liich it now holds, })eing of Indian origin. At 
the time of the Spanish cou<]uest, in 1511, it was 
called Juana, in honor of Prince John, the son of 
Ferdinand and Isabella. At the death of Ferdinand 
it was called Ferunudina, and later was known by 
the names of Santiago and Ave Mai'ia, the last in 
honof of the Virgin Mary. For many generation§ 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 49 

it has been called by the name which first belonged 
to it. , 

The first Spanish settlers in Cuba found the island 
inhabited by a peculiar race, hospitable and timid, 
with some idea of a Supreme Beiug, governed by 
kings, whose age gave them precedence, knowing 
nothing of war, having few weapons of defense, be- 
ing even ignorant of bows and arrows. They were 
at once subjugated by the invaders and reduced to 
slavery. Under the cruel treatment of their tyran- 
nical taskmasters they all perished in a few years. 
The home government then permitted the importa- 
tion of a cargo of negroes from South Africa to 
serve as tillers of the soil, and to obtain the gold 
which was thought to exist in the river courses. 
This was the beginning of the slave trade, and thus 
another wrong against humanity can be laid at the 
door of Spain. 

The abuses practiced by Spain upon the aborigi- 
nes have been imitated by all the rulers of Cuba 
since that time. Whenever her attention has been 
diverted from the colony it has prospered and made 
rapid advancement, but no sooner has considerable 
progress been made in civilization and the accumu- 
lation of wealth than the avaricious hand of Spain 
has been stretched out, the treasure of the people 
seized, and murder and robbeiy have ensued. /N. 

Cuba was at first considered mainly in the light of 
a military depot, and the headquarters of the Spanish 



50 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in the West. Cortez marched hence to his conquest 
of Mexico. The Spaniards early incurred the hatred 
of the English and French buccaneers of the West 
Indies, and in 1538 the city of Havana was surprised 
by a French corsair and reduced to ashes. This 
drew the attention of De Soto, then governor of the 
island, to the position and advantages of the port, 
and he began to fortify it. The capital of the island 
had been Baracoa, and then Santiago de Cuba; but, 
after being fortified, Havana increased in population 
so rapidly that in 1589 it was made the capital. At 
this time, also, the first captain-general was appointed 
in the person of Juan de Tejada. 

The office was maintained up to the war with a 
long accession of incumbents, but retaining the same 
functions and the same almost unlimited power. It 
was the evident object of Spain to derive as much 
revenue as possible from the island, and, with few 
exceptions, every captain-general, from Tejada to 
Weyler, sought to enrich himself. An incumbent 
could not hope for a long term of office, and hence 
took no pains to study the good-will or interests of 
the Cubans. He had to keep the revenue well up 
to the standard set in the past, and at the same time 
get rich as speedily as possible. This state of affairs 
resulted in the greatest amount of corrugation, until 
there was scarce!}' an official in all the island, from 
captain-general down to the meanest subaltern, who 
was not tainted with it. In the days before the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 51 

abolition of the slave trade, the captains-general con- 
nived at the illegal importation of slaves, receiving 
for their silence a large percentage of every one 
landed on the island. The cheajmess of labor 
enabled the planters to make great eai-nings, and the 
home government, which benefited by the revenue, 
was interestedly blind to the traffic. Even Don 
Luis de las Gasas, one of the best captain-generals 
the island has had, encouraged slavery, although he 
had not originated it. During the administration of 
this man, whose memory is cherished with fond re- 
spect by the Cubans, the Patriotic Society of Havana 
was formed with the idea of diffusing education 
through the island and introducing a taste for classic 
literature, the press being established in the capital 
by his icstrumentality. 

There have been other noted men holding the 
office of captain-general, and the present century has 
seen many of these. Don Alejandro Kamirez, one 
of the number, labored to regulate the revenues and 
economical conditions of the country, and called the 
attention of the government to the improvement of 
the white population. The most important conces- 
sion obtained, however, the freedom of commerce, 
was due to the expeditions of Don Francisco de Ar- 
ranjo, one of the most illustrious names in Cuban 
annals, and one who was, says Las Casas, "a jewel of 
priceless value to the glory of the nation, a protector 



52 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

for Cuba and an accomplished statesman for tbe 
monarchy." vi 

This man was born at Havana, May 22, 1765, left 
an orphan at an early age and managed the estate 
while still a boy, with rare judgment. He studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Spain, where he 
acted for a long period as the agent for the munici- 
pality of Havana, succeeding in procuring the ame- 
lioration of many of the abuses of the colonial system. 
The revenues greatly increased under his rule, and 
considerably exceeded tlie expenses of the govern- 
ment. He \vas opposed to the slave ti'ade, and urged 
the introduction of white laborers. It was owing to 
him that the duty on coffee, spirits, and cotton was 
remitted for ten years, and that machinery was 
allowed to be imported to the island without the 
payment of duty. 

By his efforts the Chamber of Commerce and the 
Society for Improvement were established. For a 
long time he was secretary of the chamber, and dis- 
tinguished himself by his defiance of the infamous 
Godoy, the queen's minion, who demanded the re- 
ceipts of the custom house at Havana. Godoy's 
plans were defeated, and the royal monopoly of 
tobacco relinquished. In 1813 Cuba became entitled 
to representation in the General Cortes, and Ari'anjo 
went to Madrid as a deputy aud there achieved the 
crowning glory of his life, the opening of the ports 
pf Cuba to foreign trade. He died in 1837, be- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 53 

qiieathing large sums for various public purposes 
and charitable objects in the island. Such a man is 
an honor to any age or nati(^n, and Cubans, in cher- 
ishing his memor}^, show that while resenting tyranny, 
they appreciate true greatness, and remember those 
who have served them faithfully. 

Another pi'ominent figure in the history of Cuba 
is General Don Miguel Tacon, whose administration 
of justice is proverbial, and who while he ruled with 
an iron hand, was still just and impartial. To the 
administration of Tacon the island owes many re- 
forms ; although his will was stern, he has left his 
mark upon Cuba, and will not soon be forgotten. 
He did much to improve its })hysical condition, and 
many customs introduced by him are still in vogue. 

Aside from the two just rulers mentioned, Cuba 
has been the victim of one of the worst despots ever 
known. It is generally supposed that the rebellion 
in Cuba is of recent origin, and that previous to the 
Ten Years' War from 1868 to 1878 the island was at 
peace. On the contrary, the Cubans have for nearly 
eighty years been struggling to throw off the Spanish 
yoke. 

From 1820 to 1838 there were frequent uprisings, 
and one of these took place during the rule of Tacon, 
and required all his efforts to put it down. It was 
an outcome of the revolution of La Granja, in Spain, 
and at one time promised to be successful. General 
Lorenzo, commanding at Santiago de Cuba, pro- 



54 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

claimed the validity of the old Constitution of 1812 
as opposed to the new one, and sought to re-establish 
the militia, the freedom of the press, and all other 
institutions which had been in vogue in 1823. 

Tacon was not a friend of liberal institutions, and 
considered that the proposed state of things would 
convulse the country. He was well aware that he 
could not compel General Lorenzo to abrogate the 
constitution he had proclaimed, but he at once cut 
off all communication with the Eastern Department, 
and formed a column to invade it and to restore the 
old order of things by force. His move was a bad 
one, but it triumphed. He assembled a column of 
picked companies, and also worked by secret agents 
upon the forces at Santiago to bring about a reaction 
in public sentiment. General Lorenzo allowed his 
opportunities to slip, and Tacon continued his rule 
of iron. 

The following characteristic story is told of Tacon, 
showing that he sometimes met his match : 

When Tacon began his administration he found 
the revenue laws in a bad condition, and determined 
to reform them. One way to do this was to sup- 
press smuggling, which was carried on to a large 
extent. 

A man named Marti, who was known as the King 
of the Isle of Pines, where he had his principal ren- 
dezvous, was the chief offender in this line. Marti 
sent out his vessels, and operated so successfully that 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 55 

at last Tacon determined to offer a large reward for 
Lim, dead or alive. 

One dark and stormy night a man made his way 
unannounced into the presence of Tacon in the pal- 
ace and offered to reveal the secrets of Marti, pro- 
vided he obtained a pardon for himself. This was 
granted, after some hesitation, and the man pro- 
claimed himself as Marti. Tacon adhered to his 
agreement and Marti did the same. He piloted the 
government officials to his secret hiding-places, and 
much valuable property was recovered. 

Tacon gave him his pardon and offered him a 
large sum of money; but Marti asked instead to 
have the right to fish in the neighborhood of the 
city, and to have the trade declared contraband to 
all except his agents. 

He agreed to erect a public fishmarket of stone 
at his own expense, which at the end of a specified 
number of years should revert to the city, together 
with all right and title to the fishery. 

Tacon agreed to the proposition, and the market 
was erected. It has since reverted to the city, and 
the monopoly is still vigorously enforced. Marti 
became rich on his venture, and later on instituted 
other monopolies, which brought him as much money 
as his other schemes. 

A volume on the many insurrections in Cuba 
would no doubt be more interesting than a novel, 
but it is not our purpose now to write of them. 



56 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

About 1850 General Lopez, a noted insurrectionist 
and filibuster, landed a force on the island for the 
purpose of freeing it from Spanish rule. His force, 
which came from the United States, consisted of 652 
men. In the l)eo^innino; of July the vessels left New 
Orleans, with orders to anchor at Coutoy, one of the 
Mugeres Islands, off the coast of Yucatan. General 
Lopez, after gaining information from ajfisherman he 
encountered, resolved to land at Cardenas, on the 
northern coast of the island, 120 miles east of Ha- 
vana. He calculated that he could surprise and master 
the garrison before the captain-general could possibly 
hear of his departure from New Orleans. His plan 
was to seize the town, capture the authorities, intim- 
idate the Spaniards, and then, inspired by victory, 
proceed to Matanzas by rail. 

Koucali, the captain -general, received news of tlie 
landing at Coutoy and dispatched several ships in 
that direction, hoping to capture Lopez. The latter 
succeeded in landing, however. The garrison rushed 
to arms, and while a portion of the troops, after a 
slight loss, retired in good order to the suburbs, an- 
other intrenched themselves in the government 
house and gave battle to the invaders. After a short 
skirmish the building was set on fire and they sur- 
rendered. The Q-overnor and a fe\v officers were 
made prisoners, and the soldiei's consented to join 
the revolution. At the same time the railroad 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 67 

station was seized, and the invaders made ready to 
proceed to Matanzas. 

The native population did not respond to the 
appeal of Lopez, however, and he realized that so 
soon as the taking of Cardenas was known he would 
be in a critical position. As a matter of fact, the 
Governor of Matanzas was then upon the march with 
500 men. General Armero also set sail from 
Havana with 1,000 men, while 2,500 picked troops, 
under the command of General Count de Mirasal, 
were sent from Havana by rail. 

Lopez saw that it would be madness to oppose 
these formidable reinforcements, and he gave the 
order to re-embark, without, however, relinquishing 
the idea of landing on some more favorable part of 
the island. 

The part of the garrison which had at first re- 
treated to the suburbs attempted to cut off the 
retreat of Lopez, but the latter, in desperate straits, 
sent in such a deadly fire that the cavalry was deci- 
mated, and the infantry, dismayed at their loss, took 
to flight. The steamer left without hindrance, and 
before the arrival of the government frigate with the 
men under command of General Armero. 

The Spanish prisoners were landed at Cayo de 
Piedras, and then General Lopez, discoveriug the 
frigate in the distance, made at once for the United 
States coast, where the steamer was abandoned. 
Lopez was arrested by the authorities at Savannah, 



58 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

but was soon liberated in deference to public opinion. 
The steamer was seized, confiscated and sold, and 
thus ended the expedition. 

A man less determined than Lopez would have 
been crushed by the failure of his first attempt, but 
he firmly believed that the Cubans were ripe for 
revolt; that public opinion in the United States was 
stronger than the acts of the government, and that if 
he could once gain a foothold in the island the 
Spanish troops would flock to his side in great num- 
bers, and that before long he would be at the head 
of a force large enough to insure success. Feeling 
full confidence, he once more busied himself with 
unremitting ardor in forming another expedition. 

The attack upon Cardenas had caused great anxiety 
to Captain-General Koucali. He had at his disposal 
a force of more than 20,000 troops, but he was 
not at all sure of their loyalty, and he therefore 
determined to raise a local militia. He allowed only 
Spaniards to join it, however, and speedily aroused 
the jealousy of native-born Cubans. This, of course, 
swelled the force of opposition to the government, 
and it was not long before Lopez was informed of 
the fact. 

Roucali was recalled, and Don Jose de la Concha 
was appointed captain-general in his place. The 
harshness of his rule recalled the iron reign of Tacon. 
During his administration Lopez succeeded in 
making his second landing at Plagitas, sixty miles 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 59 

to the westward of Havana. There had been several 
minor insurrections previous to this, and Lopez, de- 
ceived by exaggerated re^^orts, believed that the 
time had come for successful invasion. He was so 
confident of the determination and ability of the 
Cubans alone to secure their independence that at 
one time he wished to embark without any force 
and throw himself among them. 

Having so much confidence, he at last set sail 
with only 400 poorly armed men, on August 2, 
1851. His men consisted mostly of Americans, with 
about fifty Cubans and several German and Hun- 
garian oflScers, among the latter General Pragay, one 
of the heroes of the Hungarian revolt, who was sec- 
ond in command to General LopeZo 

The landing was effected, after many delays, on 
the 12th of August, and the steamer was immediately 
dispatched to the United States for reinforcements. 
Leaving the baggage with a guard of 120 men, 
Lopez pushed on to Las Pozas, a village ten miles 
distant, whence he could send horses and carts to re- 
ceive it. 

Meantime, seven companies of Spanish troops had 
been landed at Bahia Honda, the force being 
strengthened by men from the neighborhood. The 
march of the invaders to Las Pozas was straggling 
and irregular. The village was found deserted, and 
a few carts were sent back for the baggage. Lopez 
learned here of the plan of the troops to attack him. 



00 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

He had no intention of bringing bis men into action 
with disciplined troops, and he proposed to take up 
a strong position in the mountains, plant his stand- 
ard, and await the arrival of the Cubans and the 
return of the steamer with reinforcements. He sent 
at once to the officer in charge of the baggage to 
hasten, but delays prevented the greater part of the 
men from ever reaching his division. 

On the following day they were alarmed by the 
news that the Spanish troops were upon them. They 
flew to arms at once, and fought so bravely that, 
although the enemy outnumbered them three to one, 
they were seized with a panic and fled. General 
Pragay was wounded, and afterward died in conse- 
quence. 

The party in charge of the baggage had attempted 
to leave the island in launches, but were captured by 
a Spanish man-of-war, taken to Atares, and shot. 

About two o'clock on the 14th of August the ex- 
pedition resumed its march for the interior, leaving 
behind the wounded, who were afterward mutilated 
and killed by the Spaniards. 

The second action with the Spanish troops occurred 
at the coffee plantation of Las Frias. The invaders 
were attacked by a force of 1,200 infantry and 
cavalry. The Sj^anish general opened the attack 
with his cavalry, but he was met by such a deter- 
mined opposition that he was completely routed. 
The panic of the cavalry communicated itself to 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 61 

the infantry, and the result was a disastrous defeat. 
The Spanish general was carried off the field mor- 
tally wounded. 

Lopez was too weak to profit by his desperate 
successes, and had no means of following up his vic- 
tories. The expedition plunged into the mountains 
and wandered about for days, drenched by the rain, 
destitute of food and proper clothing until the men 
were at last seized with despair. They separated, 
only a few of the most steadfast remaining with their 
leader. In the neighborhood of San Cristoval, Lopez 
surrendered to a party of his pursuers. He was 
treated with every indignity, submitting with cour- 
age and serenity to all. 

From Mariel he was taken in a steamer to Havana, 
where he sought an interview with Concha, who had 
been an old companion-in-arms in Spain. He did not 
expect a pardon, but he shrank from the ignominy of 
the garrote, and wished to be shot instead. Both 
the interview and the indulgence was refused, and he 
was executed on September 1st, by the mode of pun- 
ishment most infamous to Spaniards. The remain- 
der of the piisoners who fell into the hands of the 
authorities were sent to the Moorish fortress of Ceuta, 
but Spain seemed to be ashamed of the massacre at 
A tares, and the men were subsequently pardoned. 

Concha was succeeded as captain-general by 
Canedo and Pezulas, but no change for the better 
took place in the administration of the island. FiU- 



62 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

blistering expeditions were made one after another, 
and tbe hope of the Cubans for ultimate independ- 
ence seems never to have died out. 

There was not another important rising among the 
Cubans until 1868, although the feeling of revolt 
was still rife. In 1855, Don Ramon Pindo w^as put 
to death for being the leader of a conspiracy to ann^x 
Cuba to the United States. Don Julian Cadalso 
and Don Nicholas Pinelo, engaged in this same 
conspiracy, were sentenced to imprisonment for life, 
and many others were transported from the island. 

There is never a revolt against a perfect govern- 
ment. The worst of men prefer peace to war if 
peace can be obtained honorably, but, on the other 
hand, the best of men prefer war to peace if tbe lat- 
ter has to be purchased with slavery and chains. 
While the Spanish officials were well paid and 
content, the grinding policy of Spain was ruinous to 
the common people. 

It is said by competent travelers and writers in 
Cuba that everybody and everything on the island 
is poor save the soil. Nature has never offered so 
much labor and received so little in return. The 
finest suo-ar and tobacco lands in the world are on 
the island, while its mineral resources are said to be 
wonderful. But taxes had eaten out the heart of 
the prolific soil. The Cuban farmer was miserably 
poor ; it is doubtful if the Digger Indian was in a 
worse condition ; the Cuban tickles his wonderfully 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 63 

fertile earth with the rudest of all agricultural im- 
plements and it smiles at him with a harvest. Yet 
of what avail was it to him if he produced pounds 
or tons, it all went to the coffers of the rich dons and 
heads of government. Aristocracy and tyranny are 
twin sisters; where you find one you will find the 
other. These have a long train of relations, among 
whom are plutocrats, moneyed barons and those pos- 
sessing and desiring titles. They despise the poor 
— to them the toiler is of an inferior race, and the 
man who labors with hand or brain is little better 
than the mule that draws the cart. AVe are sorry to 
say that aristocracy and tyranny are not alone con- 
fined to Spain. As weeds, thorns and thistles 
ofttimes take root, grow and thrive in the most 
fertile soil, so in our blessed republic may be found 
these enemies of liberty. As the farmer pulls up 
such weeds from his growing corn, we trust the great 
dangers to our own beloved land may be uprooted 
before it becomes so firmly seated as to sap the life 
of the nation. 

However, when we come to recall the glaring 
outrages perpeti'ated by the Spanish aristocracy upon 
the common people of Cuba, our own wrongs seem 
to pale into insignificance. 

The Spaniard pursued in Cuba the old colonial 
policy," which lost him all the rest of his possessions. 
He was still a Pizarro in the Queen of the Antilles 
— did not chan2:e his habits nor his convictions that 



64 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the Spaniard alone was capable of governing, though 
he had shown his incapacity in the loss of nearly all 
his colonies. There had rarely been any law in the 
island, the administration of justice remaining prac- 
tically in the hands of the military, the decrees of 
the governor-general or the governors of the provinces, 
in their turn, being supreme. The official executive of 
the governor-general is the police, and all the inhab- 
itants were under a system of espionage. Personal 
goings and comings, and changes of residence and 
business had to be reported to the authorities ; nor 
was all this materially different in time of peace. 
Cuba never ceased to have a purely military govern- 
ment at the hands ©f the Spaniards; and all private 
affairs were, of course, regulated by government to a 
degree that would provoke a revolution in despotic 
Kussia. And it must be remembered that this gov- 
ernment was foreign, no Cuban being allowed to hold 
an administrative office. Cuba was a Spanish pos- 
session, to be mulcted remorselessly ; and no one had 
a right to a voice in its government who was not in 
favor of this system of robbery and spoliation. 
Against this system, every Cuban was a rebel; and 
a Spaniard born in Cuba was almost invariably 
a Cuban in aspiration and instinct unless he belonged 
to the office-holdino: class. 

There is no more detestable class of people than 
the latter, as we experience even in America, where 
sometimes offices are permitted to descend from 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 65 

father to son. How much more detestable the 
system must be to those who can have no part in 
making offices and officers. 

The policy of Spain was foolish, and any wise man 
must have seen the inevitable result that would 
follow. In a state of moral decay for centuries, 
proud, cruel and unforgiving, Spain had sought to 
replenish her treasury by the oppression of her sub- 
jects. In order to accomplish her purpose she strove 
to keep her subjects in ignorance as much as possible, 
for intelligence is always detrimental to despotism, 
and her only hope of retaining her hold on Cuba 
was to keep the people in mental darkness. 

One by one she lost her Spanish possessions in the 
Western Hemisphere until Porto Eico and Cuba 
were all of importance that remained. But Cuba 
was the richest of all, and this she determined to 
retain at all costs. Better lose Spain than Cuba. 

With her infant monarch tottering on his throne 
and the sun of her destiny seeming about to set, she 
prepared to strengthen her cause by the course that 
had always weakened it — oppression. 



66 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER 11. 

THE CAUSE OF AMERICA IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN 

QUARREL 

The close proximity of Cuba to the United States 
very naturally drew tbat government into the 
quarrel between Spain and her revolted colonies. 
The masses of the people in America have always 
sympathized with the oppressed and downtrodden 
in the island. American volunteers have always 
been found ready, like Lafayette, to risk their lives 
for people struggling for the freedom which they 
themselves enjoy. Though they have been called 
filibusters, and may have been executed as such, 
they are no more outlaws than was General Lafay- 
ette. There sailed with Lopez in 1851, Colonel 
W. L. Crittenden, the son of the attorney-general 
of the United States. He and 100 followers, 
mostly Americans, were captured on the north part 
of Cuba and shot. There was some stir and con- 
siderable indignation at the time, but it passed 
away without any open i-upture with Spain. No 
doubt had not the United States been menaced by 
foreign powers, which seemed to fear there would 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 67 

be an effort to enforce the "Monroe Doctrine," there 
miglit have been stronger measures taken than were. 

American blood has been shed again and again by 
the Spanish soldiery, and for nearly 100 years 
has cried out from the ground. 

The tyranny of O'Reilly of Louisiana, the inso- 
lence of the Spanish Dons in 1808, and later in 
Florida, has all been stored up in the treasury house 
of the American memory. Americans had more than 
the Maine to remember; they had the wrongs and 
insults of a hundred years. Almost at their very 
doors the most horrible barbarities were perpetrated. 
The cries of suffering, helpless women continuously 
reached their ears. Tliose who had been taujzht 
Christianity, Patriotism, and Humanity found their 
blood boiling. 

" The time will come, wait, wait !" 

Thousands who in youth found the blood of im- 
patience racing like maddened steeds through their 
veins grew old and feeble, grayhaired and died 
waiting, while countless thousands in Cuba died from 
want. The long-promised succor from America, 
the land of the free, the IVIecca of the oppressed, 
came not. 

Then came the uprising of October 10, 1868. 
Charles M. de Cespedes, a lawyer of Bayamo and 
one of the leaders of the movement in Eastern Cuba, 
began the revolt at Yara, with not many more than 
a hundred men, wretchedly armed but thoroughly 



68 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

determined. He received instant support, however, 
and before long the force had increased to 
15,000. A declaration of independence was 
issued and a constitution framed, providing for a 
rej)ublican form of government with a chamber of 
representatives. The constitution was proch^imed in 
April, 1869, at Guaimaro, where the chamber was 
organized, and at the same time proceeded to act 
according to constitutional provision. Cespedes was 
elected president and Francis V. Aguilera vice- 
president of the Republic of Cuba. 

From the outbreak until the close of the year 
1870 the fortunes of war favored the Cubans in 
their struo:2:le for freedom and self-ofovernment. 
They w^orsted the enemy on almost every field and 
drove him to his fortified positions on the sea- 
board and elsewhere, but could not make further 
headway from want of suflicient war materials. 
During this period they received from their agents 
abroad only a few thousand stand of arms, and 
but a comparatively small supply of ammunition, 
while the enemy had his numerous troops equipped 
with the best approved weapons of the United 
States and kept the island surrounded by many war 
vessels, of which the most efiicient to prevent any 
outside help to the struggling Cubans were thirty 
light draft steam gunboats built in New York 
expressly for Spain, which kept inshore around 
Cuba, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 69 

The insurgents held their own throughout more 
than half the island, nevertheless, while their force 
aggregated probably 15,000 able-bodied men. 
Out of that number, however, hardly one-fifth 
were properly armed, their arms and munitions 
having to a great extent been taken from the enemy. 
Most of those who were operating in the large dis- 
trict of Camaguey, in Central Cuba, despairing of 
war materials from abroad, signified to the enemy 
early in 1871 a readiness to lay down their arms, 
provided their lives were spared. Being answered 
that on surrender they should be pardoned, their 
surrender commenced at once, and soon General 
Agramonte, who was the Cuban chief commander 
in Camaguey, was left with thirty-five men, but 
determined, however, to remain in the field. Being 
asked upon what he relied to prosecute the campaign, 
he replied curtly, " On dignity." He was as good as 
his word, for through unremitting efforts he sue. 
ceeded in raising a fine body of cavalry which restored 
Camaguey to the insurrectionists, and which rendered 
otherwise excellent service, not only under his com- 
mand, but also under the leadership of his successor. 
Agramonte fell dead at their head at the very 
moment of routing the enemy after a protracted 
engagement in the spring of 1873, 

While such was the course of affairs in struggling 
Cuba, where fresh troops from Spain had been tak- 
ing the field to cover the heavy losses, and where 



70 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the Cubans Lad in their turn suffered severely, riot- 
ous and murderous proceedings kept the Western 
Department wrought up to a high pitch of excite- 
ment. Indeed, shortly after the breaking out of the 
insurrection, the old Spanish residents of the towns 
throughout that department began to organize them- 
selves into battalions of volunteers, each battalion 
under the command of a colonel, who in every 
instance happened to be a wealthy slave trader, for the 
Havana corps, which mustered about 20,000 
men. 

The volunteers under arms in Western Cuba pre- 
ferred remaining at home to do garrison duty, how- 
ever, while their companions of the regular army 
were gallantly confronting the insurgents in the field. 
Their first feat of arms at Havana was to fire volley 
after volley upon the main entrance of a theater and 
on the people as they came out at the end of a play, 
performed, it was supposed, for the benefit of the 
insurgents, the performers being Cubans. Many 
persons were killed and wounded. Shortly after- 
ward they fired into a saloon while out on parade, 
and again killed several persons. Their next exploit 
was an assault upon the residence of a prominent 
Cuban gentleman, who haJDpened to be with his 
family away at the time on one of his sugar estates. 
But their rich household goods were destroyed by 
the assailants. 

Later on they deposed Captain Dulce and con- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 71 

strained him to return to Spain, smarting under tlie 
indignity offered him and the home government, 
which had appointed him only a few months pre- 
vious to his hiwless deposition. Spain put up with 
the outrage perpetrated upon him, however, and this 
simply emboldened the volunteei's, who soon after- 
ward deposed Brigadier-General Lopez Pinto from 
the governorship of Matanzas, and began to turn out 
in force throughout the country, where many harm 
less people were killed. Hundreds of Cubans were 
torn from their families and shipped off by the gov- 
ernment under volunteer escort to distant penal col- 
onies in Spain. Then ensued a greater outrage. In 
November, 1871, forty-three medical students of the 
University of Havana were arrested and subjected 
to trial by court-martial at the suit of the volunteers. 
The cause alleged, therefor, was that these boys, 
while at the general cemetery, had scratched the 
glass plate of a vault containing the remains of a 
volunteer. The trial was conducted by an educated 
officer of the Spanish army, but the volunteers called 
upon the captain-general for a new trial by court 
martial, composed of regular army and volunteer 
officers. He complied once more with their wish by 
ordering a court of five army and nine volunteer 
captains, and a major of the army to conduct the 
prosecution under the presidency of an army colonel. 
These officers, organized into a court martial, soon 
condemned eight of the unfortunate students to 



72 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

death, while tlieir remaining companions, with the 
exception of four, who were condemned to impris- 
onment for six months, were consigned to hard labor. 
On the following day, November 27th, fifteen thou- 
sand volunteers turned out under arms, and the 
eight boys were shot by a detachment from that 
force. This heinous deed produced general conster- 
nation in Western Cuba, and elicited a burst of 
indignation throughout the United States. Even 
the Spanish parliament execrated the Havana vol- 
unteers, but required no atonement for the crime. 
Although there was an entirely new generation of 
volunteers in Havana during the last war, the corps 
seemed animated by the same spirit as that of their 
predecessors, and the same lawless, tyrannical feeling 
was rife among tliem. Of all the outrages perpe- 
trated in Havana during the recent crisis there was 
not one which could not be directly or indirectly 
traced to the volunteers. These stay-at-home soldiers 
possessed all the barbarity of guerrillas, without the 
bravery or the discipline of the regulars, and every 
feeling of hatred or revenge toward Americans was 
fomented by them — every demonstration organized 
and carried out by them. 

During the year 1B71 the insurgents received only 
a scanty supply of arms and ammunition. They 
then determined to get w^ar materials by assaulting 
the enemy, whenever such materials could be had. 
Success crowned their efforts so well that at the 




apta,x-G™e«al Iir..xco, Commander o. the Sp«-,»n Forces ,x Cy, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 73 

close of the subsequent year they had a fairly good 
supply of arms and ammunition for the campaign of 
1873, which was the most active of the war, particu- 
larly in Eastern Cuba, under the able command of 
General Calixto Garcia, and in Camaguey under 
the leadership first of the gallant Agramoute, and 
next of his veteran successor. 

In the last quarter of the year, however, the 
Cuban chamber, w^hich had been in recess for a long 
time, met at Bijagual, in Eastern Cuba, and deposed 
President Cespedes, who was succeeded ad interim. 
by the chairman of the body, Salvador Cisneros, 
better known by his title of Marquis de Santa Lucia. 
Shortly afterward occurred the incident of the 
steamer Virginius. 

The Virginius was a steamer owned by Ameri- 
cans, which had been engaged by filibusters for the 
purpose of carrying men, arms, and provisions to the 
Cuban insurgents. Many of the prominent leaders 
of the insurrection were on board, and they carried 
with them 2,000 Remington rifles, a large supply 
of ammunition, and a large stock of provisions. 
She had come within eighteen miles of the Cuban 
coast on October 31, 1873, when she was sighted, 
six miles away, by the Spanish cruiser Tornado, 
which immediately gave chase. The Virginius at 
once changed her course and headed for Jamaica, 
from which island she was then distant about one 
hundred miles. Despite the fact that she threw 



74 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

over a great portion of her cargo to lighten her load 
and draw away from the Spanish vessel, the latter 
gained on her rapidly, and she was brought up at 
last by a couple of shots fired through her rigging. 

The leaders of the revolutionists who were pas- 
sengers on board the Virginius were General Oscar 
Varona, a Cuban officer of great courage and consid- 
erable military skill, and William A. C. Ryan, an 
ex-captain of the Union army, who had attached 
himself to the cause of the Cuban insurgents in 1869, 
and risen to the rank of inspector-general in that 
service. Ryan was by birth a Canadian, and at the 
time of the capture of the Virginius he was but 
thirty years old. He had been educated at Buffalo, 
N. Y., and the fact that he had been honorably dis- 
charged from the Federal army with the rank of 
captain at the close of the War of the Rebellion 
put his American citizenship beyond question. 

When Varona realized that capture was inevitable 
he suggested that the Spaniards be allowed to board 
the Virginius, and when they took possession he 
would descend to the powder magazine and blow up 
the steamer and all on board. To the Americans on 
the vessel he declared this would be a much better 
fate than to fall into the hands of the foe, in which 
case they would assuredly die a cruel death or perish 
slowly in Spanish prisons. Captain Fry, however, 
pointed to the stars and stripes, under which he was 
sailing, and laying stress upon the fact that his 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 75 

papers were correct in every detail, assured those 
who were with him that there was no cause for seri- 
ous uneasiness. Although prepared to face any 
danger, Ryan was not so sanguine, although he united 
with the commander of the Virginius in opposing 
the desperate intentions of Varona. 

Two boats' crews were dispatched from the Tor- 
nado, and a Spanish officer coming aboard the 
American steamer ordered the stars and stripes to 
be run down from the masthead and the Spanish 
ensign substituted. Captain Fry presented liis papers 
and challenged the officer to show any flaw in them. 
The latter acknowledged that they were correct in 
every particular, then pocketed them and ordered 
the steamer to be headed for Santiago de Cuba. 
This port was reached at five o'clock on the evening 
of November 1st, and proceedings were at once begun 
against the whole Virginius party as pirates. The 
United States Vice-Con sul at Santiago j)rotested to 
no purpose; all were condemned to death, and on 
November 4th the first four of the party were taken 
out and shot. A naval court martial was then 
organized to try Captain Fry and his crew. The 
trial was short, and the result was never in doubt. 
On November 7th the captain, the first mate, and 
thirty-four seamen were shot, the execution being 
attended by acts of the most revolting inhumanity. 
It is stated that as the men fell as a result of the 
awful fusillade, the commander of a company of 



76 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Spanish cavalry, whicli was drawn up on the square, 
ordered his men to gallop over the bodies until the 
faces should be altogether unrecognizable. 

Upon the receipt of the news of the capture of the 
Virginius, the Government of the United States had 
immediately communicated with Madrid, requesting 
a suspension of action upon the part of the Spanish 
authorities in Cuba, and orders to this effect were 
immediately cabled from the Spanish capital to 
Santiago de Cuba. These orders were totally disre- 
garded by those in charge at Santiago, and the 
executions continued. On November 8th eleven 
more of the so-called expeditionists were shot. 

Some of the Americans shot may have been fili- 
busters, but there were certainly two killed who were 
wholly innocent. One of these lived in Iowa and 
left a wife and three or four little children. The 
vessel being properly cleared, he had gone on board 
as a passenger and innocently met his death. There 
were numerous scandalous stories afloat at the time. 
At one time the country was on the verge of war 
with Spain, but it is hinted that some one high in 
power and official circles had some great commercial 
schemes with Spain which blocked the war. One 
thing is certain, America had a just cause for war; 
but it was argued by those in power that the loss of 
a few lives should not weigh in the balance as against 
the great loss in the event of war. The matter 
passed over and there was the blood of a few more 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 77 

to cry out for vengeance. Spain at fiist refused to 
pay an indemnity for the men killed, but at last 
agreed to do so, and thus the lives of the Americans 
were sold for a money indemnity and the affair 
closed. 

In February, 1874, Cespedes, who, from the time 
of his deposition had retired to San Lorenzo, in the 
mountains of Eastern Cuba, was surprised alone by 
a detachment of the enemy, confronting them 
manfully until he fell dead. He was a high-minded 
and stout-hearted man, and had shown remarkable 
executive abilities during the insurrection, but seldom 
agreed with the assembly that deposed him. 

In 1874 fresh troops from Spain took the field by 
thousands, the Spanish forces having sustained very 
heavy losses in the preceding year. Toward the 
close of spring, 1875, owing to further losses in battle, 
or in hospital from the effects of the climate, the 
remaining Spanish forces were compelled to fall back 
upon their fortified positions. A lull ensued in the 
insurrectionary districts with the exception of Ca- 
mnguey and Eastern Cuba, where the insurgents 
every now and then attacked the Spanish columns 
escorting heavy trains of war materials and provis- 
ions, which they generally wrested from the latter. 
Partisan strife had arisen among the Cubans, how- 
ever, although the campaign was carried vigorously 
forward with fortunes on both sides until late in the 
spring of the following year, when the revolutionists. 



78 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

reduced to a force of scarcely five tbousand men, 
scattered in bands of a few hundred each. 

Even these scattered forces were enabled by their 
mighty ally, the climate^ to cause great loss to the 
Spaniards by steadily harassing them. These losses 
were, however, fully covered by the arrival from 
Spain of twenty-five thousand fresh troops during 
the following autumn, under the able leadership of 
General Martinez Campos, who had been appointed 
some time before to the chief command of the Span- 
ish forces against the Cubans, whose mode of warfare 
was quite familiar to him, from his having fought 
them in the earlier years of the insurrection. He 
deployed his troops as he deemed best for a decided 
campaign. Seeing them frequently baffled in East- 
ern Cuba, and constantly harassed in Central Cuba 
to considerable falling ofl^ in their ranks at the close 
of the spring in the year 1877, he resorted to nego- 
tiations with insurgent chieftains to bring the war to 
an end. Success rewarded him, for early in 1878 an 
armistice was agreed upon between the belligerents 
in Caraaguey, where tlie seat of the insurgent gov- 
ernment was at the time, and where the Cuban 
chamber of representatives held a session to consider 
the overtui-es of Marshal Campos for peace. 

The chamber appointed a committee of nine 
members to wait on General Vicente Garcia, who 
had been recently chosen president of the enfeebled 
republic, to arrange for a meeting which shortly after 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 79 

took place at Zanjon in the district of Camaguey. 
There appeared on the part of Spain, Campos and a 
few general officers of his staff, and on the part of 
Cuba, President Garcia and the committee. At this 
meeting the remaining insurgent forces capitulated 
to the restoration of peace throughout the island in 
February, 1878. ' 

Spain, adhering to her old policy of distrust, 
retained a large army in Cuba and a navy round 
about her shores, the expenses of which caused the 
budget to amount to $46,594,000 at the time when 
two-thirds of the island was nothing but a mass of 
ruins, and when Cuba was beginning to feel the 
effects of the competitiont with other sugar-produc- 
ing countries. 

While the European manufacturers received im- 
portant bounties, those of Cuba had to pay export 
duties on their sugar, and the importation of all 
agricultural and industrial implements was subjected 
to a tariff almost prohibitive. 

Two laws were enacted in 1882 to regulate com- 
merce between Cuba and Spain. By the provisions 
of these laws the import duties on all Spanish prod- 
ucts were to be gradually diminished until their 
importation to Cuba became entirely free, Avhile the 
Cubans had to pay on their imports to Spain, duties 
which practically closed the Spanish market to all 
their products. 

Spanish goods, as a rule, are much inferior to 



80 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

those of English, French or American manufacture, 
but the Cuban consumer was forced to buy Spanish 
goods or pay an exorbitant price for those which he 
would have preferred to buy at a fair price. An in- 
stance will suffice to illustrate this: When the war 
began in 1895 the duty on a hundred kilogrammes 
of woolen cashmere was fifteen dollars and forty-seven 
cents if Spanish, three hundred dollars if foreign. 
These different duties opened a reign of prosperity 
for industry in Spain, where foreign goods were 
imported or smuggled, to be later sent to Cuba as 
Spanish. 

The injustice of these commercial laws was so 
evident and so detrimental to the interests of Cuba 
that in 1894 the Planters' Association, the president 
of which, the Count de Diana, was a Spaniard, 
referred to them as "destructive of our public 
wealth, a source of inextinguishable discontent and 
the germ of serious dissensions." 

Tiie insular budget could never be covered, and 
the result was that the public debt ^vas kept on the 
increase. The expenditures were classed as follows : 
For army and navy, 36.59 per cent, of the budget's 
total; for the debt, 40.89; for justice and govern- 
ment, 19.77; and for public works, 2.75. No 
public work of any kind was begun in the seventeen 
years which intervened between the two wars. 

The Cuban Treasury, between 1823 and 1864, 
sent to Spain $82,165,436 in gold. This money 




Ma.jor-General Wesley Merhitt. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 81 

entered the Spanish treasury as " Colonial surplus," 
but as a Spanish writer (Saragoza) says in his book 
" Las Insurrecciones de Cuba," it was absurd to 
speak of a surplus when not even the opening of a 
bad road was undertaken. 

Politically, the condition of the Cubans after the 
restoration of peace in 1878 was as bad as it had 
been before. Laws existed which might lead unob- 
serving persons to believe that the Cubans enjoyed 
every liberty ; but as a matter of fact the Cubans 
were kept under the most unbearable vassalage. 
The Spaniards in Cuba before the war numbered 
only 9.30 per cent, of the island's population ; but, 
availing themselves of a law which gave to them a 
majority in the electoral census, they were to return 
twenty-four of the thirty deputies which the island 
then sent to the Spanish Cortes. 

So restrictive was the electoral law that only 
53,000 men were qualified to vote in the entire 
island, although its population was 1,762,000. In 
the municipal district of Guines, with a population 
of 12,500 Cubans and 500 Spaniards, the 
electoral census included 400 Spaniards 
and thirty-two Cubans. This is one among many 
similar instances. The Board of Aldermen in 
Havana, the capital city of the island, ^vas for years 
made up entirely of Spaniards, and the same may be 
said of Cienfuegos and other important cities. 

Despite all constitutional provisions the governor- 



83 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

general of the island had the power to deport from 
the island, without a trial, any person whose pres- 
ence there he considered dangerous to the security 
of the state. The island was at peace when Cespedes, 
Lopez de Brinas, and Marquez Sterling, all journal- 
ists, were deported. The liberty of the press w^as 
still a myth. hi Pais, the Autonomist organ, 
was criminally prosecuted in 1889 because it de- 
nounced the appointment of one of the sons of the 
president of the Havana Court of Appeals to a place 
which he could not lawfully hold. 

That liberty of association the Cubans enjoyed 
may be judged from the fact that a delegate of the 
goyernraent had to be present at their meetings, 
with power to dissolve them whenever he saw fit 
to do so. 

No Cuban was able to obtain a place in the 
administration unless he was rich enough to go to 
Madrid and there become acquainted with some 
influential politician. Even so, Cubans seldom 
succeeded in being appointed to places of import- 
ance. 

Matters went on in this manner until the forma- 
tion of a Cuban Revolutionary Junta in New York. 
It w^as formed by Jose Marti, a fearless and tireless 
organizer, and to his side came flocking veterans of 
the Ten Years War, Cuban exiles in Key West, 
Florida, New York, Mexico, the AVest Indies not 
belonging to Spain, and even as far as Honduras and 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 83 

Venezuela. Long before the close of the year 1894 
the Junta had the moral and financial support of| 
thousands, all working actively in raising a war 
fund. 

At the same time the friends of the cause in the 
island were gathering arras and ammunition, smug- 
gling them in or purchasing them secretly from the 
government. In January, 1894, a filibustering ex- 
pedition, headed by Antonio Maceo and Jose Marti, 
was discovered and broken up at Fernandina, Florida. 
In February the leaders were heard from in San 
Domingo, having gone thither to arrange further 
measures with their friends in Cuba. Marti found 
Maximo Gomez, the veteran of a dozen struggles and 
a brave and able soldier, and offered him the com- 
mand and organization of the army. Gomez accepted, 
and began at once to arrange his programme. 

It was agreed that on February 24, 1895, there 
should be a rising of the insurgents in all six prov- 
inces of the island. In only three provinces was the 
flag of the republic raised, however, and in only one 
was the aspect at all threatening. Disturbances 
were reported in Matanzas and Havana, but they 
were soon put down by the capture of the leaders 
and the dispersal of the forces. The leader in Ha- 
vana accepted a pardon from Governor-general 
Calleja, and went back to his work as editor of a 
newspaper in Havana. 

In Santiago, however, which is thinly settled, the 



84 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

movement gained ground steadily. The landing of 
a party of revolutionists from San Domingo cheered 
the patriots, who welcomed them warmly, being 
supplied with reinforcements wherever they appeared. 
The government professed to be merely annoyed, 
nothing more, and pretended to look ujion the 
patriots as mere brigands. Calleja became alarmed 
at last, when the determination of the insurgents be- 
came known, and proclaimed martial law in Santiago 
and Matanzas, and sent forces to both provinces. He 
could put only 9,000 men in the field, how- 
ever, and had oulj^ seven gunboats for coast duty at 
his command. The commissary arrangements were 
miserable, and frequently caused the interruption of 
important movements. The insurgents were most 
ubiquitous, and would appear here and there without 
the slightest warning, making raids on plantations, 
which they plundered, and from which they enticed 
away the laboreis, disappearing in the swamps, 
where pursuit was impossible, and appearing again 
in a day or so in some unexpected spot, and repeat- 
ing the same maneuvers. In this manner they ter- 
rorized the loyalists, and ruined their prospects of 
raising a crop, and as many depended solely upon 
the soil for their living this method of warfare struck 
them a vital blow. 

The revolutionists had many drawbacks, however. 
Many of the original enthusiasts abandoned the 
cause and accepted amnesty ; the Autonomists hin- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 85 

dered the movement by their policy of doing nothing 
and waiting for self-government to come to them, 
and in many cases mere brigands pushed themselves 
to the front and displaced creditable leaders, thus 
giving color to the stories circulated in Havana that 
the insurrection was nothing but an eruption of 
brigandage. 

At the end of March, 1895, Antonio Maceo, with 
sixteen comrades, sailed from Costa Rica and landed 
at Baragoa, on the eastern end of the island. They 
were surprised by Spanish cavalry, but kept up an 
intermittent fight for several hours, when Maceo 
managed to elude his enemies and escape. After 
living in the woods for ten days, making his way 
westward, he met a party of rebels, was recognized 
and welcomed with great enthusiasm. He took 
command of the insurgents in the neighborhood, and 
began to get recruits rapidly. He engaged in several 
sharp encounters with the Spanish, and did such 
effective service that the moral eifect was noticed 
immediately. He and his brother Jose were made 
generals. 

About the middle of April Maximo Gomez and 
Jose Marti landed from San Domingo at about the 
same point where the Maceos had landed. For days 
they were obliged to secrete themselves in a cave on 
account of the enemy's pickets, but they finally 
reached an insurgents' camp, and Gomez entered 
upon his duties as commander-in-chief. The insur- 



86 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

gents now had an experienced leader at their head; 
reinforcements poured in, and they soon had a force 
of six thousand men. 

On the 19th of May Marti left Gomez and started 
for the coast with the intention of returning to the 
United States, where he meant to push forward the 
financial and diplomatic work in behalf of the patriots. 
He was led into ambush by a treacherous guide and 
killed. 

Gomez and his horsemen hurried to the spot, 
alarmed by the sound of firing, but they arrived too 
late. Then ensued a furious hand-to-hand struggle 
for the body of the dead patriot. Gomez received a 
painful wound and was obliged to retreat. Marti's 
body was embalmed, taken to the city of Santiago 
and buried by the Spanish commandant. 

The loss of Marti was a serious one, as he and his 
associates were said to have raised one million dol- 
lars for the Cuban cause. 

The government had issued new calls for troops, 
and in April no less than 25,000 men 
were raised. Martinez Campos came over from Spain, 
arriving at Santiago on April 16th and went at 
once to Havana, where he relieved Calleja as captain- 
general. Campos was a veteran, and expected to 
crush the insurrection at once, but day by day his 
task grew more difficult. The Havana officials were 
at last forced to admit that they were not fighting 
a mere epidemic of brigandage, but that they were 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 8t 

coping against revolution. Sharp fighting at outly- 
ing points now became of common, almost daily 
occurrence. The rebels, kept informed of the move- 
ments of the troops by the friendliness of the masses, 
were often able to slip away and evade capture, or 
to attack the opposing columns from an ambush and 
do great execution. 

Campos aimed to divide the island into zones by 
a series of strongly-guarded military lines running 
north and south, so as to prevent the insurgents from 
joining forces and finally crowd them off the eastern 
end of the island. 

Gomez and Maceo, however, instead of being 
driven hither and thither, led Campos a dance, and 
he was prevented from solidifying the two trochag 
he had formed. Gomez never attempted pitched 
battles or sieges, but harassed the enemy in every 
way possible, cutting oft' their convoys, picking them 
oft in detail, getting up night alarms, and in every 
way annoying them. His hardened soldiers, espe- 
cially the negroes, could stand hardships and still keep 
in good fighting condition, but with the Europeans, 
between yello^v fever and the constant alarms of 
war, it was a difterent story. No European soldier 
could live under the hardships and exposures which 
seemed to put life into the blacks. 

By the end of May the rebels had more than 
10,000 men, three-quarters of whom were armed 
with good rifles. The Spaniards had lost 200 



88 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

officers and quite 5,000 men in three montlis, and 
the expense of the war had been $10,000,000. 

Gomez put his plans into operation early in June 
for the invasion of Puerto Principe, and with but 
slight opposition from the enemy was soon back in 
the region where he had done such good work during 
the Ten Years' AYar. Thousands rallied about him, 
and the old enthusiasm seemed to have revived. 

About the first of July Maceo, still in the Province 
of Santiago, concentrated the forces in the Holguin 
district and moved against Bayamo, capturing one 
provision train after another that ^vere en route to 
that place. Campos took 1,500 men with 
General Santocildes second in command and went to 
the relief of Bayamo. About the middle of July he 
was attacked several mile s from Bayamo by 
Maceo with 2,700 rebels. He and his en- 
tire staff narrowly escaped capture, and only the 
bravery of General Santocildes averted this catas- 
trophe. The brave general lost his life and the 
Spaniards were forced to fly, after having fought for 
five hours, surrounded on all sides by the rebels. 
They finally made their escape to Bayamo, the rear- 
guard covering their retreat with great difficulty. 
Only Maceo's lack of artillery saved them. The 
Spanish loss was seven officers and 119 
men killed. The Cuban loss was nearly as 
great. Maceo had, by a rapid flank movement, how- 
ever, captured the ammunition train, which was 




Captain Robley D. Evans. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 89 

indeed a prize to liim. Campos did not dare leave 
Bayamo for several days, until reinforcements reached 
him. In the meantime Maceo brought a force of 
10,000 rebels against him, and he retii'ed dur- 
ing the night and was out of reach. 

By the first of August the Spanish losses by death 
had reached 20,000 men, and their expenditures were 
$21,000,000. The government negotiated a loan of 
$40,000,000 to carry on the w^ar. 

In the autumn Campos massed his troops along 
the line of the trochas and at important points on 
the raili'oads, the seaports being strongly garrisoned 
as well as protected by the Spanish war ships. In 
September the rebels had 30,000 men in 
the fields. The methods of their generals were 
peculiar. Avoiding direct attacks, they destroyed 
railroad trains by dynamite, blew up bridges, cut 
telegraph wires, and levied on the plantations for 
supplies. The insurgents would never attack unless 
the opposing force was very much smaller than their 
own. They knew their ground, every foot of it; 
the negroes and very many whites acted as spies for 
them, and by quick marches they were constantly 
able to harass and annoy the enemy, always retiring 
before an effective blow could be struck by them. 
Their ammunition was supplied by the enemy, for 
whenever they were short they would swoop down 
upon some exposed party and get a fresh supply of 
cartridges. 



90 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

In October there were 25,000 rebels 
in Santa Clara Province alone, and it was evident 
that some important step was about to be taken. 
On November 19th and 20th a conflict took place 
at Tairuano, which was the severest encounter of the 
year, Gromez gaining a decided advantage over Valdes, 
one of the Spanish generals. 

Before the end of the year Campos' campaign was 
admitted to be a failure. He could not depart from 
his humane policy, however, and at the beginning of 
the year 1896 he returned to Spain. Both sides 
now had in the field three times as many men as 
during the Ten Years' War, the insurgents having 
from 50,000 to 65,000, and the government 200,- 
000, including 60,000 volunteers. 

The campaign of 1896 was one of fii'e. The Cuban 
leaders laid waste all the plantations in their 
march, in order to stop pi'oduction and commerce 
and deprive the crown of revenues. Valeriano 
Weyler, the new captain -general, was thus welcomed, 
smoking ruins being seen everywhere, while Gomez's 
guns gave him a thunderous greeting almost at the 
gates of Havana. Maceo next burst upon Pinar del 
Rio, and despite the efforts of the Spanish troops to 
drive him out, remained in the province and defied 
all the efforts of the enemy to starve or drive him out. 
In the latter part of the year, however, he was killed 
in an ambush, through the treachery of Dr. Zer- 
tucha. He was succeeded by General Ruiz Rivera. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 91 

The year 1897 was marked by the cruel policy of 
Weyler, w^ho had long been known as " the butcher." 
His treatment of the pacificos was harsh and relent- 
less to tlie last degree, and many of his orders worked 
indescribable hardship and sufferincr. Self-a^^o-ran- 
dizement, which has been a marked characteristic of 
all captain-generals, was particularly noticeable in his 
case, and it is said with good authority that during 
his short administration of the affairs of the island, 
he acquired a fortune of nearly two millions. 

There certainly was never known in all modern 
history a more cruel monster than Weyler. His 
ancestors who burned poor old Hatuey at the stake 
were more merciful than he. He feasted and ban- 
quetted his friends in the midst of starving thousands. 
The Americans took up the subject and began to 
demand of their own government some relief for the 
suffering Cubans. The innocent reconcentrados, not 
permitted to cultivate the soil to support life, were 
^y^^g ^^y tens and hundreds of thousands. The 
American government was deaf to these appeals for 
help, but the cries, sobs and tears fell on the hearts 
of the masses of Americans. The American officials 
in power and those who have been in power in the 
past deserve no credit for this war for God and 
humanity — they were driven to it by an indignant 
and outraged people. 

The treachery of Weyler with his foes, his bar- 
barous treatment of the innocent, and his self-lauda- 



93 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

tion all comported with the character of the cowardly 
wretch he was. He deceived not only the enemy, 
but his own government. Being reckless of the 
truth, he reported his defeats as victories. Scouting 
parties sent out from the fortified towns were chased 
back by the insurgents, which episode was reported 
home as a great victory. 

Gomez, that noble old hero, the AVashington of 
Cuba, fought the best equipped, armed and trained 
troops of Spain with poorly fed, poorly equip23ed 
and half-naked men and boys. Never since the 
Revolutionary War has there been such heroism and 
unselfish devotion to the cause of a country displayed. 
When AVeyler found himself unable to capture the 
aged soldier, he sought by every means to bribe him 
and his officers, but he was mistaken in his men. 
There are some yet, even of Spanish blood, who love 
liberty. Gomez and his follo\vers had gone through 
the fiery furnace of oppression, were purified and 
beyond bribery. He wept over his dead and fought 
for his living. His army, half starved, compelled 
often to seek concealment in the mountains and 
caverns, always appeared at the opportune moment 
to strike the enemy hard and fast, and drove them 
back to their fortified towns. 

AVhile there was talk of armed intervention on the 
part of the United States, he only asked for the 
recognition of his government and the granting of 
alien belligerent rights. With these privileges he 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 93 

could have secured all tlie volunteers and purchased 
all the arras and ammunition necessary to conquei' 
Spain and free his beloved country. Again and 
again supplications went up from starving, shackle- 
bound Cuba for recognition — only for recognition — 
but no heed was given to her cries. Then the brave 
old heart that bore the brunt of all that struggle 
grew sad, disappointed but not discouraged. God 
surely would not permit the wrong to always prevail 
against the right. He asked only to see Cuba free. 



94: HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER HI. 

A CHANGE OF POLITICAL PARTIES CUBA STILL NEG- 
LECTED ^['kINLEy's CONSERVATIVE BUT RESO- 
LUTE COURSE BLOWING UP OF THE MAINE. 

During the last admiuistratiou of Grover Cleve- 
laud the Cuban question became prominent among 
the people, but the President was silent. The 
American people were beginning to be aroused at 
the atrocities of the Spaniards, and there were sonie 
who hoped the President might "do something "for 
the starving and dying inhabitants of Cuba. This 
hope was greatly intensified when, late in his admin- 
istration, he appointed General Fitzhugh Lee Consul- 
General to Cuba. A more fitting ap23ointment could 
not have been made. Lee was well known by his 
political friends and opponents as an earnest, tender- 
hearted gentleman, wise, patriotic and brave. 

"While General Lee was not rash, he was not one 
of those contemptible conservatives who may be 
relied on to do nothing. That Lee faithfully per- 
formed his duty and won the respect and admiration 
of all the American people cannot be doubted. 

His presence in Havana inspired hope in the 
breasts of the struggling Cubans. AVhat Lee's cor- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 95 

respondence with President Cleveland will 
never be known. He was too wise a diplomat for 
publication, but such parts of his reports as were 
made public show he did not whitewash Spanish 
cruelty. Still the President was naturally wait- 
ing. Twice Congress passed alien belligerency 
resolutions, but tbey were never recognized by 
Mr. Cleveland. It is given as an excuse by the 
friends of the President that he did not take any 
steps toward alleviating the suffering in Cuba as his 
term was so nearly ended he could not have carried 
out a policy had he formed one. 

The year 1896 witnessed a great change in the 
politics of the United States by a new question 
forcing itself to the front. The silver question, 
which had long been demanding recognition by some, 
was adopted by the Democracy in their Chicago 
platform, with Mr. Bryan for President, while the 
Republican party at St. Louis declared for the gold 
standard, and nominated William McKinley, of Ohio, 
for President. There were desertions from both 
parties. Senator Teller and other Silver Republi- 
cans withdrew from the Republican convention, and 
Senator Hill and many more Democrats withdrew 
from the Democratic convention. The result was 
that the Gold Democrats of the east supported Mc- 
Kinley, and the Silver Republicans of the West sup- 
ported Bryan. 

The contest ended in McKinley's election. Suffer- 



96 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

ing Cuba was not forgotten during the campaign. 
The Republican party in their platform extended 
sympathy, and held out a promise of acknowledg- 
ment of the belligerent rights and recognition of their 
government. 

The Republican press and Republican oiators held 
up bleeding, groaning Cuba as an appeal for votes, 
and it was confidently expected that Mr. McKinley 
would take action within thirty days after his inau- 
guration. 

He was inaugurated President March 4, 1897, 
while Weyler was in the height of his absolute 
tyranny, and while thousands of reconcentrados 
were starving and dying. A special session of Con- 
gress was called, and there were many who supposed 
that the time had come to end the sufferins:. But 
Congress, after several weeks' session, passed a tariff 
law, and adjourned without Cuba being mentioned. 
The Democratic press began to twit the Republicans 
on broken promises. They replied that Cuba would 
surely receive due attention at the first regular ses- 
sion of Congress. But from March to December 
was a long time for people to exist without food, and 
it was estimated that 200,000 reconcentrados died 
of starvation in that time. 

The American press w\as now aflame. Republi- 
can, Democratic, and Populist periodicals gave forth 
to the world the awful story of suffering and death, 
and many wondered why the authorities at Wash- 




Stewart L. Woodford, U, S. Minister to Spaix. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 97 

ington did not act. Senator John Sherman resigned 
his seat in the Senate, and Mr. Hanna was appointed 
to fill the vacancy, while Mr. Sherman was made 
Secretary of State. 

Mr. McKinley strove to avoid hostilities with 
Spain, and his course was deliberate and conserva- 
tive, while firm and resolute. He possibly put 
too much faith in the promises of the Spaniards, 
and even while he was treating the Spanish Minister 
with respect, the latter was writing of him as a "low 
pothouse politician." On this becoming known the 
minister was of course recalled, and another, Seuor 
Polo, sent in his place. 

Meanwhile our government had expressed through 
official channels its displeasure at the course of General 
Weyler in Cuba, and he was suj)planted by General 
Blanco, who came with offers of autonomy to the in- 
surgents. Spain asked for more time to try her new 
plan of autonomy, and the United States was given 
permission to feed the starving reconcentrados. 
Congress made an appropriation to furnish supplies 
for the starving, and ships were sent with food for 
them. It was hoped that the dark cloud of war 
w^hich had for months been hovering over the country 
might pass away without an open rupture between 
the two nations. The press, always sensational and 
often untruthful, was doing all possible to drive the 
nation to war, and there were other forces at work 
to that end which proved invincible. The President 



98 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

long strove to stem the tide, but events on which no 
one calculated occurred which made peace impossible. 
It was decided, more to pacify the American people 
perhaps than for any other reasou, to send an Ameri- 
can warship to Havana. AVhile friendly visits of 
war vessels in time of peace between two nations 
are common, owing, perhaps, to the strained relations 
between the two countries no American ship had 
been sent to Havana since the last insurrection began. 

The Maine, a second-class battleship, commanded 
by Captain Sigsbee, an excellent seaman and brave 
commander, was sent on this important mission. 

General Blanco, who succeeded Weyler, was a 
much better man than his predecessor. He had 
every appearance of a gentleman, more humane, was 
brave and courteous, but intensely loyal and patriotic 
to his country. No one dreamed that any American 
warship would suffer while in the harbor. Nor do 
the American people to this day believe that General 
Blanco was cognizant, or would have permitted, if in 
his power to have prevented it, such an act of treach- 
ery as the blowing up of a ship and sending hun- 
dreds of men into eternity while on a friendly visit. 

Captain Sigsbee on his arrival had been visited 
by Consul-General Lee, in whose company he called 
upon the captain-general and governor of the 
island. Havana was quiet and peaceful on the fatal 
February 15, 1898. The Spanish flagship Alfonso 
XH. lay near the American battleship, and the Ward 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 99 

Line steamer City of Wasbingtou was but a short 
distance away. 

All was quiet on board the Maine. Men and 
officers, save the captain and those on duty, were 
below when about twenty minutes to ten there was 
heard a tremendous explosion, and almost immedi- 
ately after the sk}'' was illuminated with a lurid 
glare and the air filled with flame and smoke. It 
was suspected at once that the Maine had been 
blown up, but how, could not, of course, be then 
determined. The explosion shattered windows and 
electric lights, and flung the city into a tumult of 
excitement such as it had rarely witnessed before. 
Crowds that had gathered in public places dispersed 
in quick order and other knots gathered, to follow a 
moment later at the hotels some leader who knew 
no more where he was going than they. 

Fire engines came bounding down the narrow 
streets from no one knows where, and going no man 
knew where. All the populace turned out, and the 
throngs gradually trended toward the water front, 
but for half an hour or more no one in the midst of 
that jostling, pushing, half-crazed crowd knew aught 
of the awful tragedy that lay just beyond. 

The report was first that the arsenal had blown 
up, and then it was said that the Spanish man-of-war 
had torpedoed the Maine. And this was while the 
men of the Alfonso XII. w^ere struggling to the 
work of l-escue, 



100 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The Ward Line steamer City of Wasliington and 
the cruiser were the first to reach the scene, and 
their crews did all that could be done to rescue the 
drowning. 

Some of the survivors were brought to the land- 
ing-place and turned over to the firemen, who carried 
the wounded on stretchers to hospitals. Others 
w^ere brought alongside the City of Washington, and 
still others carried to the Alfonso XII. 

The wreck took fire and sunk, and soon the harbor 
was lit by the lurid glare of flames, fed chiefly by 
the inflammable cellulose contained in the forward 
and after ends. The wreck burned the long night 
througli, and when broke the solemn, pitying dawn, 
dark wreaths of smoke were still curling upward 
from the sliapeless mass. At sunrise all flags in the 
harbor were at half-mast. 

Captain Sigsbee was up nearly all the night look- 
ing out for the comfort of his men. He took a short 
rest before early daylight, and soon after he stood on 
the deck of tlie City of Washington, peering into 
fallino- mist which was screenins^ the wi'eck of his 
gallant ship. 

The City of Washington was under way then shift- 
ing her berth. She passed close to where the curled 
and twisted plates of the after superstructure showed 
all that ^vas left of the Maine, and tears came 
to Captain Sigsbee's eyes as he looked and thought of 
the gallant men whose lives had so suddenly gone out, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 101 

The Maine went down in water deep enougli to 
submerge all but the after part of her superstructure 
deck. The whole forward part of the hull was 
turned completely inside out by the explosion. The 
officers said that had the explosion taken place in 
the vessel in deeper water, that first wild lurch of 
hers would have sent her settling sideways to the 
bottom. 

As it was, the vessel sank within three minutes, 
partly righting as she touched the bottom. Captain 
Sigsbee, being asked to give his opinion of the cause 
of the disaster, said to a newspaper correspondent : 

" There is very little that I can tell you. I was 
in the cabin at the time. I had just finished a letter 
to my family when that enormous crash came. The 
ship lurched heavily to port, and I knew in an in- 
stant what it all meant — that it meant my ship had 
been blown up. 

" All my cabin lights were put out, and as I 
groped my way out of the apartment I met my 
orderly running toward me. Reaching the deck, I 
gave orders to post sentries, keep silence, and to 
fiood the magazines. The magazines were already 
flooding themselves. I saw then that the disaster 
was complete ; in fact, I noticed a few of our men 
struggling in the w^ater. 

" Only three boats were left of the number we 
carried. These, the gig, barge, and second whale- 
boat, were lowered as quickly as we could get them 



102 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in the water. There was a big hole knocl-:ed in the 
side of the barge, and it is a wonder that it did not 
sink with the few who had climbed into it." 

Lieutenant John J. Blandin, who was officer of 
the watch at the time of the explosion, gave this 
version of his own experience, and of those who carfle 
under his immediate observations : 

"I went on watch at six o'clock, relieving Lieu- 
tenant Blow. At twenty minutes to ten o'clock, 
while on the port side of the quarter deck, an ex- 
plosion occurred, seemingly on the port side foward, 
followed immediately by a second one. I was struck 
on the head by a flying piece of wreckage, but not 
stunned. 

"I climbed on the poop-deck, where I found the 
captain, executive officers and several others. The 
barge and gig were lowered and manned, they being 
the only boats left. We picked up all the wounded 
that could be found, and put them into the boats. 
The Spanish flagship, Alfonso XIL, had sent four or 
five boats very promptly to our aid, and more of our 
wounded were sent to the Alfonso. 

" One of our boats pulled around the Maine and 
picked up several men who had been blown into the 
water. The executive officer went forward to see if 
the fire could be put out, and found that it was use- 
less to try to do anything to save the ship, as she 
was a total wreck. 

" The captain then gave the order to abandon the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 103 

ship, and most of us went in tlie boats of the City of 
AVashington, of the Ward Line, where we were most 
cordially received and treated. The captain was the 
last to leave the ship." 

The funeral of twenty-seven of the victims whose 
bodies were recovered took place in Havana on Feb- 
ruary 17th, and was the most impressive ever seen 
in the city. Not even in their own country, leaving 
aside relatives and close friends, would the dead 
seamen have been accorded more pronounced ex- 
pressions of sorrow and regret. No expense had 
been spared in the funeral arrangements. The 
bodies lay in state in the Municipal Hall, and long 
before three o'clock the coffins were covered with 
flowers. 

Streets were blocked with carriages of the best 
families, and the government officers, and the army 
officers, men and officers from the Spanish man-of- 
war, marched to the palace and awaited the forming 
of the procession. Officers and men of the Maine 
took carriages at the consulate and drove to the 
palace, each carriage conveying a wreath of flowers. 

Chaplain Chidwick read a few short prayers just 
after three o'clock. The procession then formed 
and moved to the cemetery. The local clergy, in- 
cluding the Bishop of Havana, assisted at the burial 
services. 

Each coffin bore a silver cross and plain card with 
the dead man's name. They were carried to hearses 



104 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

by the local foremen. So great was tlie crowd that 
it took the procession an hour to get under way. As 
it passed through the streets the crowds uncovered. 
Many stores were closed. 

A court of inquiry was apjDointed, consisting of 
Captain W. T. Sampson, Captain F. E. Chadwick, 
Lieutenant-Commander Adolph Maiix and Lieuten- 
ant-Commander Potter, to investigate the matter, 
and sessions were at once begun. Work was next 
started upon removing the debris of the wreck, but 
after being prosecuted for many weeks, it was fcund 
impossible to clear it away on account of the depth 
of mud in which it had sunk. The board of inquiry 
finished its work in about six weeks, and found that 
the explosion was from an external cause, but were 
unable to fix the responsibility for the same. The 
report also exonerated the officers and crew of the 
Maine from all blame in the matter, and showed 
clearly that the catastrophe was not due to any care- 
lessness on their part, but that, on the contrary, the 
greatest diligence had been exercised at all times. 

The report of the board, while not fixing the 
blame on Spain, made it so apparent that the Maine 
was destroyed through Spanish agencies that 
throughout the war the American slogan was " Re- 
member the Maine." 

The blowing up of the Maine, it was declared, was 
a cause for war, and the people determined to have 
satisfaction. The general belief was that Weyler 




Rear-Admiral W. T. Sampsox. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 105 

planted the mine at Buoy No. 4, and one of his emis- 
saries who remained behind exploded it. Even 
though Blanco might be held blameless for the 
blowing up of the Maine, his country must be brought 
to account at once. 

On the 18th of April Spain addressed a memo- 
randum to the Powers, which was in effect an appeal 
against the United States' assumption and aggres- 
sion. The President sent a second message to Con- 
gress, in which he declared that the war in Cuba 
must end, and peace be compelled. 

A lively discussion in the Senate followed. Sen- 
ator Foraker, an eloquent orator and progressive 
statesman, favored the recognition of the Cuban 
government before declaring for armed intervention. 
One reason given by the senator for his views, which 
he backed up by the best authorities on international 
law, was that Spain, in order to prosecute the war 
against the insurgent government, had negotiated 
a loan on the island of $400,000,000. That 
the island was mortsras^ed to this amount. If at 
the time of negotiating the loan Spain had title, 
any other government set up afterward would 
be subject to the mortgage. On the other hand, if 
the existing government of Cuba was recognized, it 
having been established prior to the loan, would be 
unincumbered. 

The President •and his friends firmly opposed 
these views and urcfed a declaration for intervention 

O 



106 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

without recognition. Some of the leading news- 
papers which had been urging recognition of the 
Cuban government, declaring that if it was only 
recognized and alien belligerent rights granted it, 
Cuba would fight her own battles and free herself, 
now changed completely around and sided with 
those who insisted on intervention while they re- 
sisted recoo:nition. 

It was asserted firmly that President McKinley 
would veto a measure that recognized the Cuban 
government. The friends of recognition declared 
that a war without recognition would be a war of 
conquest. In his final message, in which the Presi- 
dent recommended that the war in Cuba must end, 
and that Spain be given three days to withdraw her 
land and naval forces from the island, he denied any 
intention on the part of the United States to acquire 
the territory. 

The matter had grown too serious for further 
disagreement. Thousands of helpless reconcentrados 
were dying, and relief must be had. All finally 
united, and on the 19th of April Congress passed the 
joint resolutions directing the President to intervene 
in Cuba, and to call out the forces of the army and 
navy to end the war in that unhappy country. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 107 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE ULTIMATUM THE BLOCKADE THE FIRST GUNS 

OF THE WAR BOMBARDMENT OF MATANZAS. 

The great crisis was approaching rapidly. To 
America it was not wholly unexpected and some 
preparations had been made. A navy that was 
destined to astound the world seemed to spring into 
existence at a moment's notice. Admiral Sampson 
with a considerable fleet rendezvoused at the Dry 
Tortugas, wdiile Commodore Schley with the Flying 
Squadron w^as at Hampton Koads. Commodore 
Dewey of the Asiatic Squadron was at Hong Kong. 
The Oregon then cruising in the Pacific was ordered 
to join the fleet of Admiral Sampson. 

Diplomatic relations between the two nations 
were strained to the utmost tension, and the friendly 
cord threatened to snap at any hour. Mr. Woodford, 
the American minister at Madrid, was the victim of 
many insults from the rabble, and the Spanish 
police had to keep a guard around the American 
legation. 

Congress having voted an appropriation of 
$50,000,000 for the army, for coast defenses, and 



108 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

for the purchase of war vessels, negotiations were 
at once entered into with several foreign powers, 
and a number of armed cruisers were purchased 
and transferred to the United States. The ships of 
several passenger and mail lines were also purchased 
or leased as auxiliary cruisers, and were at once 
remanned and put in commission. The most notable 
examples were the two American-built ships St. 
Paul and St. Louis of the American Line. Tlie new 
purchases were fitted for their new uses at once, 
and the preparations for war went on without delay. 
Congress at last united upon the following 
resolutions, which were signed by the President on 
April 20th : 

" Joint resolutions for the recognition of the independence 
of the people of Cuba, demanding that the government of 
Spain relinquish its authority and government in the island 
of Cuba, and to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba 
and Cuban waters, and directing the President of the United 
States to use the laud and naval forces of the United States 
to carry these resolutions into effect. 

" Whereas, The abhorrent conditions which have existed 
for more than three years in the island of Cuba, so near our 
own borders, have shocked the moral sense of the people of 
the United States, have been a disgrace to Christian civiliza- 
tion, culminating as they have, in the destruction of a 
United States battleship, with two hundred and sixty of its 
officers and crew, while on a friendly visit in the harbor of 
Havana, and cannot longer be endured, as has been set forth 
by the President of the United States in his message to Con- 



/ 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 109 

gress on April 11, 1898, upon which the action of Congress 
was invited; therefore be it resolved: 

" First, that the people of Cuba are, and of right ought to 
be, free and independent. 

"Second, that it is the duty of the United States to 
demand,and the government of the United States does hereby 
demand, that the government of Spain at once relinquish its 
authority and government in the island of Cuba and with- 
draw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. 

" Third, that the President of the United States be, and 
hereby is, directed and empowered to use the entire land and 
naval forces of the United States, and to call into actual 
service of the United States the militia of the several States 
to such an extent as may be necessary to carry these resolu- 
tions into effect. 

" Fourth, that the United States hereby disclaim any dis- 
position or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or 
control over said island, except for the pacification thereof, 
and asserts its determination when that is accomplished to 
leave the government and control of the island to its people." 

Immediately after signing the resolutions on 
April 20, 1898, about 11 o'clock a, m. the Depart- 
ment of State served notice of the purpose of this 
government by delivering to Minister Polo a copy 
of the instructions to Minister Woodford and also a 
copy of the resolutions passed by the Congress of 
the United States on the day before. After the 
report of this notice the Spanish minister forwarded 
to the State Department a recpiest for his passports 
which were furnished to him. 

The United States minister at Madrid was at the 



110 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

same time iDstructed to make a like communication 
to tbe government of Spain. On the morning of 
the 20th, the department received from General 
Woodford a telegram, showing that the Spanish 
government had broken off diplomatic relations 
with our government, which rendered unnecessary 
any further diplomatic action on the part of tlie 
United States. The following is the note sent to 
Woodford, Minister, Madrid: 

*' You have been furnished with the text of a joint resohi- 
tion voted by the Congress of the United States on the 19th 
instant — approved to-day — in rehition to the pacification of 
the island of Cuba. In obedience to that act, the Presi- 
dent directs you to immediately communicate to the govern- 
ment of Spain said resolution, with the formal demand of the 
government of the United States that the government of 
Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the 
Island of Cuba and withdraw its land and naval forces from 
Cuba and Cuban waters. In taking this step the United 
States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exer- 
cise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said island excejjt 
for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination when 
that is accomplished to leave the government and control of 
the island to its people under such free and independent gov- 
ernment as they may establish. 

" If by the hour of noon, on Saturday next, the 23d day of 
April, instant, there be not communicated to this govern- 
ment by that of Spain a full and satisfactory response to this 
demand and resolution whereby the ends of peace in Cuba 
shall be assured, the President will proceed without further 
notice to use the power and authority enjoined and conferred 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. Ill 

upon him by the said joint resohition to sach extent as may 
be necessary to carry the same into effect. 

*' Sherman." 

Woodford having asked for his passports and 
diplomatic relations being at an end, the business of 
the ministers and consuls in Spanish ports were 
turned over to the British consuls. The departure 
of Mr. Woodford from Spain was attended with 
great danger. The train on which he left had to be 
guarded by Spanish soldiers, and at one time his 
secretary of legation was in imminent peril from 
the rabble, but they reached Paris in safety. Consul- 
General Lee and the consuls in Cuba w^ere permitted 
to take their departure. The press, noted for its 
false rumors, which ever kept the people in a fever- 
ish state of excitement, once published the report 
that the vessel in which he had embarked had been 
sunk by the guns of Morro Castle. 

Spain having by its conduct to General Woodford 
broken off diplomatic relations between the two 
countries, it was not deemed necessary for the United 
States to wait until the time set, but that hostilities 
could be begun at once. The President thereupon 
issued the following proclamation: 

" By the President of the United States— A proclamation. 

"Whereas, By a joint resolution passed by the Congress, 
and approved April 20, 1898, and communicated to the gov- 
ernment of Spain, it was demanded that said government at 
once relinquish its authority and government on the island of 



112 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and 
Cuban waters; and the President of the United States was 
directed and empowered to use the land and naval forces of 
the United States, and to call into actual service of the 
United States the militia of the several States to such extent 
as might be necessary to carry said resolution into effect, and 

*' Whereas, In carrying into effect said resolution, the 
President of the United States deems it necessary to set on 
foot and maintain a blockade of the north coast of Cuba, 
including all ports between Cardenas and Bahia Honda and 
the port of Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba. Now, 
therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United 
States, in order to enforce the said resolution, do hereby de- 
clare and proclaim that the United States of America have 
instituted and will maintain a blockade of the north coast of 
Cuba, including ports on the said coast between Cardenas 
and Bahia Honda and the port of Cienfuegos on the south 
coast of Cuba aforesaid, in pursuance of the laws of the 
United States and the laws of nations applicable to such cases. 

*^An efficient force will be posted so as to prevent the en- 
trance and exit of vessels from the ports aforesaid. Any 
neutral vessel approaching any of said ports, or attempting to 
leave the same without notice or knowledge of the establish- 
ment of such blockade, will be duly warned by the commander 
of the blockading forces, who will indorse on her register 
the fact, and the date of such warning, where such indorse- 
ment was made, and if the same vessel shall again attempt to 
enter any blockaded port she will be captured and sent to the 
nearest convenient port for such proceedings against her and 
her cargo as prize as may be deemed advisable. 

** Neutral vessels lying in any of said ports at the time of 
the establishment of such blockade will be allowed tliirty 
days to issue therefrom. In witness whereof, I have hereunto 




Major-General Nelson A. Miles. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 113 

set my hand^ and caused the seal of the United States to be 

affixed. 

**Done at the City of Washington, this 22d day of April, 

A. D., 1898, and of the Independence of the United States 

the one hundred and twenty-second. 

"William McKinley. 
"By the President. 

"John Sherman", Secretary of State." 



Congress having approved the blockade, the North 
Atlantic Squadron, under command of Caj^tain Samp- 
son, sailed at once from Key West to Havana. It 
consisted of the following vessels : Battleships Iowa 
and Indiana, armored cruiser New York, the monitors 
Puritan, Terror, and Amphitrite, the gunboats Nash- 
ville, Castine, Machias, AVilmington, and Helena, the 
cruisers Detroit, Cincinnati, and Marblehead, and the 
torpedo boats Cushing, Ericsson, Dupont, Foote, 
Wiuslow, Porter, and Mayflower. 

The arrival of this fleet off Havana is graphically 
described by a newspaper correspondent in Havana 
at the time : 

"Havana, April 22, 8:30 p. m.— At 4:45 o'clock 
this afternoon the semaphore signaled that a fleet had 
been sis^hted on the eastern side of the island. It 
was said to be witlioiit any colors to show its 
nationality. 

"From the front of Morro Castle I saw smoke in 
the distance, and soon afterward made out three 
vessels on the horizon. At that time La Punta, the 



114 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

fort on the side of the harbor opposite Morro Castle, 
was crowded with curious people, including many 
ladies. In addition crowds of people could be seen 
at various points of vantage, many of them gathering 
on the roofs of houses. 

"At 6 P.M. the semaphore signaled that it was the 
United States fleet which was in sight, and at 6:15 p. m. 
a red flag was run up at the signal station, warning 
guns were fired from Morro Castle, and afterward 
from Cabanas fortress adjoining it. This caused 
excitement throughout the city, and was the first 
real note of war. 

"When the first signal came from the semaphore 
station a British schooner which was in the harbor 
put to sea. She was immediately followed by the 
German steamer Ramus. Some time afterward the 
American steamer Saratoga put to sea. 

"The cannon shots from the fortresses stirred up 
the regular troops and volunteers throughout Havana 
and its vicinity, and there was a rush to quarters. 
The signal guns from the fortifications echoed to the 
palace and throughout the streets, causing people to 
rush from the houses, with the result that all the 
thoroughfares were soon crowded with excited in- 
habitants. 

" Captain-General Blanco heard the shots while at 
the palace, to which place the generals and com- 
manders of the volunteers promptly repaired, full of 
excitement. Some time afterward the captain- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 115 

general, accompauiecl by his staff, the generals and 
others, left the palace and were warmly acclaimed 
by the soldiers and populace. The general then 
made a brief, final inspection of the fortifications and 
went to a spot from which he could see the approach- 
ing fleet. 

" There certainly was no sign of alarm anywhere. 
The Spaniards are confident that Havana is pre- 
pared for any eventuality, and they have great faith 
in the strength of their forts, batteries, etc., and in 
the effectiveness of their heavy artillery. 

"JAs the time passed, more and more people 
crowded to the spot from which the fleet could be 
seen favorably. There was a great movement of the 
masses through all the streets and on all the squares. 
Tlie coffee houses and clubs were crowded with 
excited people, discussing the arrival of the American 
warships. The Spaniards expressed themselves as 
anxious to measure arms with the ^ invaders,' and 
there was no expression of doubt as to the result. 
Many of the stores are closed, as their owners and 
employees are volunteers, and have therefore been 
called to the defense of the city. 

" As this dispatch is sent, the civil and military 
authorities of Havana are in consultation at the 
palace, and every precaution possible to the Span- 
iards has been taken to guard against surprise and 
to resist an attack if tlie bombardment is commenced. 

"When the news of the capture of the Spanish 



116 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

steamer Biiena Ventura by tlie United States gun- 
boat Nashville, twenty miles off Key West, readied 
here, Admiral Manterola, the Spanish naval com- 
mander, wished to prevent the sailing of the Ameri- 
can steamer Saratoga, but Captain-General Blanco 
was opposed to this step, and she was allowed to sail. 
" It was estimated this evening that there were 
from 45,000 to 50,000 men under arms in Havana 
proper. The district outside of Havana at the 
same time was held by the battalions of engi- 
neers. 

"Everything breathed war: armed men were to 
be seen on all sides; the batteries were alive with 
artillerymen, and carriages and pedestrians were not 
permitted to pass certain places, and outside of the 
Vedado district no movement at all was allowed. 

"Scout boats were sent out from the harbor, 
always in a straight line, and they were coming and 
going throughout the night. 

" Coastinir steamers have been forbidden to leave 
ports on the north coast of the island. 

" General Arolas, the military commander of Ha- 
vana, has issued orders for the establishment of 
patriotic committees to prevent criminal acts in case 
of a panic during the siege. The local authorities 
and the priests have been appointed on those com- 
mittees, which will liave full power to pass sentence 
upon lawbreakers and to carry out the sentences 
imposed. Indeed, the only thing necessary is to 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 117 

notify the interested parties of tlieir crimes and of 
the sentences imposed upon them. The carrying 
out of the directions of the patriotic committees will 
be very prompt. 

"All doctors, lawyers, and professional men have 
been compelled to render service to the government 
under the penalty of being most severely dealt with." 

At daylight on April 22d the New York, the 
Iowa, and the Indiana were lying in line in the outer 
harbor, with the gunboats Nashville and Detroit off 
to the south on picket duty, and the Castine, the 
Newport, and a naval tug hovering around near the 
anchorage. A great deal of signaling had been done 
since nine o'clock the night before, and just before 
sunrise the Helena came from the inner harbor, 
while the torpedo boat Foote came to the flagship 
just ahead of her. A few minutes later the Detroit 
left her station and w^ent to the inner harbor, while 
the Nashville came to the flagship and then headed 
away to the northward, where the Machias and 
Castine had been lying. At this the whole squad- 
ron got under way in two lines — the New York, 
Iowa, and Indiana in one line at the southward, and 
the Helena, Machias, Nashville, and Castine in 
another, while the naval tug and torpedo boat went 
along in the lee of the flagship. 

By six o'clock the Newport came to the line from 
the w^estward and took her place behind the Machias. 

Meantime, a smoke had appeared on the horizon 



lis History of the war with spain. 

away to the westward, and by six o'clock it was 
plain that this came from a merchantman. By seven 
o'clock she was seen to be a two-masted black-hulled 
ship, with white upper works and black smokestack, 
having the colors of the Spanish flag painted around 
it. A Si^anish flag w^as flung to the breeze above 
the taffrail. 

Up to this time the squadron had been steaming 
slowly, say six knots, but at seven o'clock the Nash- 
ville suddenly left the line, and at full speed headed 
toward the Spaniard. 

A moment later a gun was fired from the port 
battery of the Nashville, and the shot struck the 
water a few hundred yards away. The Spaniard 
at this time was half a mile from the Nashville, and 
she held her way, making no sign of having given 
the shot any attention. For two minutes the Nash- 
ville held her course in chase and then tried another 
shot that passed apparently within a rod of tlie 
Spaniard's bow, and clipped the spray from the crest 
of the waves for a mile beyond. The ofiicer on the 
Spaniard's bridge at once reversed her engines, while 
a man ran ran aft and hastily lowered her flag. 

At 7:15 o'clock the Nashville brought-to alongside 
the Spaniard, having every gun, big and little, in the 
starboard broadside -.pointed at her. Then a whale- 
boat was lowered, and Ensign Magruder, with a 
boavd^ing crew of six men, was sent to take charge of 
the prize. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 119 

She was found to be the steamship Buena Ven- 
tura, plying between New York and Havana and 
West Indian ports. She had a cargo of lumber on 
deck forward, that was stowed so as to give her a 
list to port. Meantime, the torpedo boat Foote had 
run down in the wake of the Nashville, and she 
brought to beside the Buena Ventura. For the 
next half-hour there was a good deal of filling and 
backing by the Nashville and the Foote as they lay 
about the Spaniard. 

Ensign Magruder took charge of the Spaniard's 
papers, and sent a report regarding them to the Nash- 
ville. The papers were sent thence to the flagship 
by the Foote. The flagship, with the battleships, had 
been lying to during this time, and soon after this a 
number of guns were fired from the New York. 

However, the torpedo boat, after tarrying briefly 
at the flagship, returned to the Nashville. She had 
brought orders that the Buena Ventura was to be 
held, and a few minutes later the Nashville headed 
toward Key West and was followed by the Buena 
Ventura. 

This was the first actual capture of a vessel of 
either side in the war, and the honor belonged to the 
Nashville. The Buena Ventura was taken to Key 
West and the news of her capture sent to Washing- 
ton. From this time on the blockading became a 
series of chases after Spanish merchant vessels. The 



120 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

second to be seized was the Pedro, a Spanish steam- 
ship, loaded with iron, rice and beer. 

The vessel was loading in Havana and planned to 
go to Santiago de Cuba, when her captain, Bonet, 
heard that the American fleet had been sighted. 
He feared that Havana was to be bombarded and 
started out to sea. He was not quick enough. The 
men on the flagship New York sighted him going at 
full speed and gave chase. The Spaniard showed 
no signs of stopping, and the New York sent several 
shots after her. These were from the ship's lighter 
guns and were ineffective. 

Then the New York let go a heavy shot across 
the bow of the fleeing merchantman, who came to a 
standstill. The chase had covered ten miles. 

A prize crew of twelve men from the New York, 
officered by Lieutenant E. E. Capeheart, Ensign 
Brumby and Engineer Walter Ball, was put aboard 
the Pedro, and she then came to Key West under 
her own steam and without escort. The quarantine 
flag was soon flying from both the Pedro and the 
Spanish steamer Buena Ventura, taken the day be- 
fore which was brought in by the gunboat Nash- 
ville. 

United States marines were pacing the decks of 
both captured steamers, but the Spanish flag still 
floated from the jackstaif of the Pedro. She entered 
Key West at 6:30 o'clock at night and was watched 
by large crowds from the docks as she went to her 




Major-Gexekal Joseph Wheeler. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN, 121 

ancLorage. Captain Bonet was in no mood to talk. 
He seemed to take the matter philosophically. 

" These Yankees are getting rather hot, it seems 
to me," was his caustic comment, as he leaned over 
the rail and spoke to a newspaj)er correspondent, 
who ran alongside in a steam launch. 

The third prize belonged to the Ericsson. It was 
captured at dawn close to Havana harbor and proved 
to be a small fishing schooner. 

Lieutenant Usher, in command of the Ericsson, 
caught sight of the little vessel trying to beat out 
of the harbor to the open sea. The Ericsson soon 
headed her off and not being provided with any 
spare men to act as a prize crew, Lieutenant Usher 
simply ordered the schooner to run on ahead of him. 
In this way he chased her along until he could turn 
her over to the tender mercies of the cruiser Cincin- 
nati. The Ericsson's officers then resumed their 
duties without waiting to learn what disposition was 
made of their little prize. 

The prize crew had just been put aboard the 
Pedro from the flagship when the torpedo boat 
Foote, which was scouting, ran up and reported that 
a large steamship had been sighted seven miles 
away, apparently bound out of Havana and showing 
no colors. The New York soon overhauled the 
stranger and boarded her. She was found to be the 
German steamship Amrum, bound from Havana. 
Her papers were all right, and she was permitted to 



122 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

go, after being informed tLat Havana was under 
blockade. Hearing of the arrival of the United 
States fleet off Havana, Captain Scbmrull, not 
anxious to be bottled up in the harbor, ran out and 
was overhauled by our fleet. The Anirum put into 
Key West early next morning and awaited orders 
by cable. 

The Pedro, owned by the Navigation Company of 
Bilboa, was of 1,628 tons net register, about 330 
feet long, and had over thirty-eight feet beam and 
drew twenty-eight feet of water. She was built at 
Newcastle in 1883 and had on board a crew of thirty- 
six men. 

Speaking of the two prizes at Key West, Lieuten- 
ant-Commander Lyon of the Dolphin, who was 
senior oflScer, explained how the Spanish flag still 
flew from the Pedro, while the Buena Ventura 
showed no colors. The captain of the Pedro flew 
his colors during the entire time of his pursuit by 
the New York and refused to haul them down. 

Technically, these prizes did not become the prop- 
erty of our government until a prize commission 
had passed upon the captures and adjudicated the 
claims. In the meantime it was customary to permit 
the flag of the country from which the capture is 
made to fly as usual. 

The officers and crew were at liberty to leave the 
Spanish ships and go ashore, provided they were not 
stopped by quarantine regulations. They had ex- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 123 

pressed preference, however, to remain aboard their 
captured vessels. Captain Bonet and his men of 
the Pedro evidently thought the Cubans of Key 
West a very bloodthirsty lot of patriots, and did not 
care to trust themselves to their tender mercies 
ashore. 

While these exciting events were amusing the 
blockading squadron Washington City was like a 
seethinir, boiliuo: caldron. The most senseless 
rumors were put in circulation, and many believed 
the cities on the Atlantic coast were hourly in dan- 
ger of bombardment. 

Before leaving Washington the Spanish minister 
was met by a newspaper correspondent, and the fol- 
lowing interview was published : 

"The action of Congress is a crime," declared 
Senor Polo, and he gratuitously added that his 
words were those of another foreign diplomat who 
had spoken to him recently. He was loyal, how- 
ever, and did not give his name, else the Spanish 
minister might have had company on his trip to 
Canada, as such comment would have been consid- 
ered sufficiently offensive to cause the talkative 
minister to be expelled. 

'' This great nation is about to enter upon a war 
that will meet only with condemnation in the pages 
of history," he continued. 

" Demands upon my country have been made that 
no self-respecting people will endure. Spain will 



124 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

only abandon Cuba when sbe is compelled to do so 
by superior force. War between the United States 
and Spain means that 70,000,000 j^eople are pitted 
against 18,000,000. The latter will be 3,000 miles 
from the base of supplies. 

" This war, T repeat, is a crime." 

Lieutenant de Carantha, the naval attache, thought 
Spain would be victorious. 

" It is no longer a question of retaining Cuba ; the 
United States has contemptuously ordered Spain to 
vacate Cuba, and has made the infamous charge that 
we are responsible for the murder of the poor men 
of the Maine. These orders and charges are made 
with a kick of the boot, and against such action 
Spain will resist to the uttermost. 

" History has recorded that even the legions of 
Napoleon, with nearly 400,000 men bearing the tri- 
umphs of Europe, were halted and retired from 
Spain after those legions had lost between 200,000 
and 300,000 men. 

"We recognize the gallantry of the American 
navy, and the notable heroes of its past — Paul Jones, 
Farragut, Porter — but Spain, too, has her heroes, 
and their blood is in the veins of those now called 
upon to defend her honor. 

"I speak after recently talking with my naval 
associates, commanders of Spanish ships and of tor- 
pedo boats, and I know that there is but one senti- 
ment — namely, that not one Spanish ship shall be 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 125 

taken. Your navy may send some of them to the 
bottom, superior forces may annihilate them, but not 
one Spanish ship will surrender to the American 
navy. With honor at stake that will be the response 
of the navy of Spain." 

On the 23d of April, the day after the blockading 
squadron began to get in its work in front of Havana, 
the President made his first call for volunteers in the 
following proclamation : 

''Whereas, by an act of Congress entitled: *An act to 
provide for the increasing of the military establishment of 
the United States in time of war and for other purposes/ 
approved April 22, 1898, the President was authorized, in 
order to raise a volunteer army, to issue his proclamation 
calling for volunteers to serve in the army of the United 
States; 

" Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the 
United States, by virtue of the power vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws, and deeming sufficient occasion to 
exist, have thouj_ht fit to call for and hereby do call for 
volunteers to the aggregate number of 125,000 in order to 
carry into effect the purpose of the said resolution, the same 
to be apportioned as far as practicable among the several 
States and territories and the District of Columbia accord- 
ing to population, and to serve for two years, unless sooner 
discharged. The details for this object will be immediately 
communicated to proper authorities through the War De- 
partment. 

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and 
caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. 

*' Pone at Washington, this 33d day of April, 1898, and of 



126 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the independence of the United States the one hundred 
and twenty-second. 

''(Seal.) William McKinlet. 

"By the President. 

"John Sherman", 

" Secretary of State." 

The volunteers were apportioned among the vari- 
ous States, coming from the National Guard. There 
was some dissatisfaction as to the manner in which 
the volunteers were officered. Many political debts 
remained unpaid, and this was done by the parties 
having the appointing power in commissions. It has 
always l)een ai'gued that a volunteer soldier is not 
like a regular. The regular army soldier is a profes- 
sional, while the volunteer is a citizen in time of 
peace, and goes to w^ar only when his country needs 
his services. It has always been rulable for volun- 
teer companies to elect their captains and lieutenants 
from their number, as when a man risks his life for 
his country he should not be required to relinquish 
every right as a citizen. The commissioned officers 
in the regiment usually have the right to elect the 
line officers of the regiment, all of whom are 
commissioned. But many governors interfered with 
the rights of the men whom they were sending forth 
to battle, causing great dissatisfaction and delay. 

The 13th New York Res^iment. which had been 
slated for service at the front, refused to go, and was 
disbanded for disobedience. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 127 

On the 24tli of April, the second day after the 
President's call for 125,00.0 volunteers, Spain 
issued a decree declaring that a state of war 
existed by the aggression of the United 
States. In the decree she reserved the right 
of granting letters of marque and reprisal to priva- 
teers. Privateering, though of great advantage to 
the United States in her second war Avith Great 
Britain, has of late years come to be looked upon as 
little better than piracy. 

John Sherman resigned on the 25th of the month 
and Mr. Day was promoted to his place on the 26th. 
There had been no fighting as yet. Occasional 
rumors of cannonading were heard, but proved to be 
false. 

Up to the 26th nothing of a serious nature had 
occurred off Havana. A peaceable blockade with 
hostilities prohibited proved a tedious and monoto- 
nous game. It was varied only by prize chasing, and 
this often disappointing because of false clews and 
mistaken identities. The news that two steamers 
succeeded in sneaking into Havana on Saturday was 
not at all an indication that the blockade was not 
thoroughly successful. 

This was only the second day of operations, and 
the mosquito craft had not arrived to cover the water 
close in shore. The blockade runners were only 
small coasting craft, which gathered sugar from port 
to port around the island and carried it into Havana, 



128 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

They bugged tlie beach like sticking-plasters, and 
were not seen by the big blockading ships lying 
eight and ten miles out at sea beyond the range of 
the shore batteries, which they had been ordered not 
to engage. 

On the afternoon of the 26th the New York and 
Wilmin<i;ton ran in nearer the coast east of Havana 
than any ships east of the squadron had been during 
the four days of the blockade. The water here 
deepens so abruptly in the sweep of the Gulf Stream 
current off the shore that the New York could 
approach to within less than a mile of the coast. 
The ship was so near that, with glasses, men and 
women could be seen in the field and streets of the 
little village of Santa Cruz. 

Steaming slowly westward, the tiny blockhouse 
forts stood out white against the rolling green and 
palm-crested hills. At the mouth of a small river 
an abandoned stone fort and tower showed as relics 
of another century, while on a hilltop a square gray 
fortification, with a score or so of soldiers in the 
ramparts, looked like a toy of war which it was 
impossible to take seriously. 

At only one point were there any signs of activity 
or of immediate preparation for resisting an invasion. 
Half a dozen men were handling: shovels and bearing: 
earth in baskets to a freshly-thro\vn-up ridge, sup- 
posedly a line of breastworks. 

Except for the hamlet of Santa Cruz the coast was 




MaJOR-GENERAL FiTZHOdH Lkk, 



i 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 139 

bare of settlements for ten miles. The hills rose 
and billowed away for miles in the blue haze, broken 
by a deep valley leading down to the sea, the sort 
of countiy in which the insurgents have been able 
to harass and evade the Spanish legions. 

It is probable that many of the isolated fishermen 
and farmers in these corners along the shore did not 
know of the state of war, for they did not take to 
the hills when the American "warships steamed 
grimly in until their batteries could blow the old 
forts and villages into fragments. 

Even the soldiers aj)peared to view the evolution 
of the squadron as a highly interesting spectacular 
performance, and courteously offered to reciprocate 
by giving a cavalry drill on the beach well within 
the range of the twelve-inch guns on shipboard. 

On the Havana station not a hostile shot had been 
fired, barring some doubtful cannonading from Morro 
Castle, whose target had not yet been located. The 
only brush occuri-ed between the tor^oedo boat Foote 
and a small gunboat off Cardenas,in which no damage 
was done to either vessel, and this port was now so 
completely in possession of the American fleet that 
the ship lay in the harbor with undisputed titles. 

On the coast between Santa Cruz and Matanzas a 
Spanish lieutenant was telling a story which had 
already ruined his reputation for veracity beyond 
repair — how he was captured by the barbarous 
Yankees; how they carried him aboard one of their 



130 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

great ships, and instead of killing him at once they 
treated him as an officer and a gentleman ; and, after 
luncheon and cigars with those Avonderful people, he 
was sent ashore on parole, free to resume his journey- 
to the wife and the baby, four days old, which he 
had not yet seen. True, in his peanut shell of a 
schooner, he would have fought the Cincinnati to 
death had he known that his country was at war 
with the Yankees, but now he could not fight these 
people. 

For miles that day clouds of smoke rolled furiously 
from bej'ond the coast hills, and at night the red 
glare showed where the insurgents were wasting 
the country with torch and machete in a gradual 
movement toward closincf around Havana and 
assisting the blockade. 

The 26th w^as the least eventful day on the block- 
ade, and it was not until dusk that the gongs in the 
engine room clamored for steam and speed, and 
faster beats of the shaft crank caused the men, 
weary with long waiting, to shout : 

" It's a chase ! We are off at last !" 

To the northwestward the thread of smoke had 
been picked out against the darkening horizon, and 
the Detroit was made out heading for it, but several 
miles astern. 

The flagship swung around to intercept the chase 
and bowled along for several miles away from the 
Cuban coast until a spark of light was seen under 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 131 

the faintly-visible smoke. The Detroit signaled 
that she was after the steamer and hot on the trail. 
So the flagship quit the pursuit and fell off Havana, 
at the old game of slowly patroling up and down 
her blockade station. 

Crowds of sailors clustered in the forecastle, dis- 
gusted and dejected, and sought their hammocks or 
watched beside the great guns in the turrets and on 
deck, where the men waited all night for instant 
response to the call to general quarters — the most 
thrilling of all bugle calls, and, these days, by far 
the most welcome. 

Every scrap of news brought from Key West by 
dispatch boats or newspaper tugs w^as discussed 
until threadbare from forecastle to quarter-deck. 
No lovesick hero ever looked or longed for his maid 
more fervently than did the officers and men of this 
squadron for the coming of the Spanish fleet, upon 
whose powers and strength Spain was expected to 
stake her greatest and most decisive throw. If the 
flying squadron should deprive this assemblage of 
fighting ships of an opportunity of crashing into a 
conflict, every man would have considered it a per- 
sonal affront and refused to be comforted. The officers 
and men of prize crews who had returned to their 
ships from Key West the last two days told inter- 
esting tales of the wild terror inspired in the Spanish 
when captured and boarded. The general impres- 
sion seemed to be that death was a certain fate, and 



132 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

white faces, piteous entreaty, and shaking knees 
greeted the American prize crew. la the engine 
room of one steamer three Spanish assistants met 
the young officers sent to take charge of this depart- 
ment with outstretched arms and locked fingers for 
handcuffs, and besought time to pray before being 
shot. But as soon as these lamentable expectations 
were happily disappointed the Spanish officers were 
polite, and the lavishly hospitable entertainment 
was so bounteous that the prize crew rather regretted 
the end of the cruise. 

The above is a fair picture of the tedious, peaceful 
blockade of Havana. But an end to the monotony 
was near. On the 27th the New York, accompanied 
by the monitor Puritan and cruiser Cincinnati, 
steamed away from Havana harbor. Admiral Samp- 
son had asked in vain for permission to bombard 
Havana, and could, according to some of his officers, 
have laid it in ruins in three days. But the author- 
ities had ordered a peaceful blockade at Havana, 
though it was said he might bombard some of the 
smaller harbors. On the 27th, with the above- 
named vessels, Admiral Sampson steamed down the 
coast. All that beautiful April morning the three 
monsters of the deep had been gliding slowly toward 
Matanzas. The smoke of their vessels was seen by 
the defenders of the forts, and immediate prepara- 
tions were made to receive them. Masked batteries 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 133 

were manned and heavy guns loaded and ready for 
the invaders. 

It was a beautiful sight, the three majestic steam- 
ers gliding into the harbor, with its frowning 
defences, their great guns ready. It w^as after twelve 
o'clock when they entered the harbor and nearly one 
when the shot which was to siirnal the first real 
engngement of the war was fired. The world was 
waiting in anxious expectancy for those guns. 

The day was quiet and suuny, with a faint gray 
haze meeting the rim of the sea. Save that not a 
soul w^is to be seen on the ships, and that their guns 
swung slowly on the batteries as the vessels moved, 
there was no evidence of impending battle. 

In the New York's conning tower was Admiral 
Sampson, his navigator and executive in constant 
communication. Beside him was the helmsman, 
gripping the brass wheel and bringing the powei'ful 
cruiser's bow about for the better play of her guns. 

Through thirty sights thirty eyes were straining 
at the long, lean sandpits at the harbor mouth. 
The mangua bushes fringing tliem here and there 
were brilliant green against the yellow sand. The 
pits seemed deserted and no flag flew there. 

On went the New York, leading the way, deter- 
mined to get well within range before loosing her 
batteries. The Puritan, squat and formidable, fol- 
lowed, while the Cinciimati fretted astern. 

Soon the intense stillness was broken by a shot 



134 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

from the sbore, and an eiglit-incli shell came skip- 
ping toward the New York and passed a hundred 
yards ahead. That shot came from the masked bat- 
tery of Rubalacaya, and in an instant Cadet Charles 
Boone, captain of the New York's midship port gun, 
sent an eig-ht-inch shot in answer, these two shots 
signaling the beginning of the first battle of the war 
between the United States and Spain. 

The clang of bells in the flagship's engine-room 
sent her onward. From 7,000 yards' range she 
advanced to 5,000, and then to 2,000. 

All the while the Matanzas batteries were roaring 
and filling the harbor with smoke. The clouds from 
her own guns steamed around the New York's decks 
and half-obscured an outburst of signals that ran up 
and flapped spitefully to their halyards. 

The signal was to the Puritan, and as she flew the 
pennant of obedience, her helm went over and she 
bore down upon Port Maya, the other sandpit. 

The roar of the guns had been sharp and incisive, 
but when the Puritan turned her turret and thun- 
dered wdth her ponderous twelves the sea shook. 
Had it been target- practice day on the New York 
the action could not have been more orderly. There 
was intense enthusiasm, but it manifested itself in 
promptness and precision, not in headlong cheering 
or a single erring shot. 

All about the flagship and the monitor the water 
was leaping in white spurts to mark the poor range 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 135 

of tlie Spanish artillerists. A shell whirled past the 
New York's stern. Once a shriek and crackle told 
of a schrapnel bursting over her, but nothing deterred 
the blue- jackets. 

The noise of the guns of the Cincinnati filled in 
the intervals between the explosions aboard the 
New York and the Puritan. So Matanzas harbor 
was in a roar. Gradually the fire from the batteries 
slackened. The banks of Maya had been destroyed 
early in the action and a great gap showed in the 
split of Rubalacaya. But here and there there was 
a spiteful fire. One by one the Spanish guns were 
singled out and silenced. 

Several times two shots struck almost simulta- 
neously in the sandpit, and then the order would be 
given to change the train and " try her again." 
Maya tried it shot for shot with the Puritan, but 
every time the monitor's turrets revolved her 
twelve-inch rifles tore chasms in the pit. 

Seventeen minutes after the first gun from Maya 
the Spanish batteries ceased their fire. At this in- 
stant the signal quartermaster in the New York ran 
up a flutter of bunting, and the American guns were 
silent. But Maya sent another shell at the Puritan. 
The latter wheeled her forward turret arouna, and 
then came a shot that made the harbor reverberate. 

A column of earth and sand and timbers shot 
skyward. If there were men in the debris they 
could not be seen, but this was the last shot of the 



136 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

battle. The gunner who made the last great shot 
was F. Rocharque, who is known throughout the 
service as one of its best marksmen. A few minutes 
more the American ships waited, half-ex^^ecting 
another shot, but none came, and the work of the 
day was over. 

The vessels steamed leisurely out, and returned to 
Havana without the loss of a single man killed or 
wounded. The Spanish loss was unknown. They 
claim not to have lost a single man, and their only 
casualty was the death of a mule, but this seems in- 
credible, since their guns were silenced and their 
forts dismantled. 

Two days later the New York bombarded and. 
dispersed some Spanish cavalry maneuvering near 
Port Cabanas. 

On the same day Portugal, Great Britain, Italy, 
Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden and Norway, 
Colomlna, Mexico, Russia, France, Korea, Argentine 
Republic, Japan and Uruguay, issued proclamations 
of neutrality. There had been strong fears felt in 
America that France and Austria would be the 
allies of Spain, and there can be no doubt that the 
sympathies of these countries were with Hispano. 

The steamer Paris, which had been chartered for 
use as an auxiliary cruiser, was in Europe when 
hostilities were declared, and started at once for 
America. Great fears were expressed that she would 
be captured on her way to the United States. On 




Lieutenant Richmond P. IIobson. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 13'? 

the 30th of April she arrived in New York, and was 
hailed wdth great jo}^ 

The Oregon Avas the only American .warship that 
Avas in danger of capture. She was then making 
the longest voyage ever known in the shortest time. 

A new feature was developed by the war with 
Spain. In all naval w^arfare in the future the great 
feature is coal. No longer can a warship depend on 
sails, but must rely on the supply of her colliers. 
The United States wisely declared coal a contraband 
of war, which prevented friendly powers from selling 
fuel to hostile war vessels of either nation. As the 
sequel will show this worked a great advantage to 
the Americans, and brought crushing defeats to 
Spain. 



138 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER V. 

FAITH IN THE ASIATIC SQUADRON ADMIRAL DEWEY 

HIS GREAT VICTORY AT MANILA. 

When the war broke out Commodore Dewey 
with the Asiatic Squadron was at Hong Kong. Coal 
being a contraband of war, and being king in the 
navy, was perhaps the prime cause of the battle of 
Manila. It did not take a prophet to foresee that 
the first battle of the war w^oiild be fought by Com- 
modore Dewey. As early as April 28th a Washing- 
ton correspondent said : 

" Admiral Dewey, naval officers say, either must 
take a port in the Philippines and make it a base of 
supplies and a temporary home for his ships, or head 
his fleet straicfht across the Pacific for San Francisco. 
Under neutrality laws Dew^ey will find that having 
secured one supply of coal at a port belonging to a 
neutral po\ver that port will be practically closed to 
his ships, for he would not be permitted to enter 
it again for the same purpose within three months, 
a space of time that would more than consume the 
amount of coal that can be carried on shipboard. 

"Admiral Dewey, because of this, is under the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 139 

aecessity now of capturing a port from the enemy 
in wLich he may stay as long as he pleases, as his 
position consequently is much more perilous than 
that of the Cuban blockading squadron. 

"The admiral is believed to have sailed at two 
o'clock yesterday from Mirs Bay, China, for the 
Philippines. Assuming that his squadron is travel- 
ing at the prescribed speed of ten knots, it is calcu- 
lated at the Navy Department that he should occupy 
about sixty hours in the passage to Manila, which 
will bring him off that port early Saturday morning." 

Commodore Dewey was an experienced naval 
officer, a native of Vermont, and at this time sixty- 
one years of age. He graduated from the Military 
Academy in 1858, and served through the Civil AVar 
in the navy with honor to himself and country. In 
September, 1884, he was commissioned a captain, 
and in 1896 a commodore. It is said that his taking 
charge of the Asiatic Squadron was an accident. He 
was to have charge of a European squadron and an- 
other officer placed in command of the Asiatic 
Squadron. That officer, not relishing life in the 
Orient, induced Dewey to exchange, which he did 
for the accommodation of his brother commodore. 

The Spanish fleet at Manila was not a formidable 
one by any means, and a victory for Dewey was 
expected, but such a signal victory could hardly be 
hoped for. 

The sailing of the American fleet from Hong 



140 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Kong April 27tli was promptly cabled to Mauila, 
and, despite all that the authorities could do to pre- 
vent it, was soon known throughout the island. 
Many of the Letter class immediately hurried aboard 
merchant vessels with their valuables and fled. 
Those left behind took no courage from the confident 
boastings of the Spanish army and navy officers, but 
gave way to a panic for fear of what would happen 
when the natives were encouraged to practice the 
lessons in savagery Spain has been so long and so 
carefully teaching them. It was known to the Span- 
ish authorities that the American fleet would be 
almost certain to arrive in the evening of Saturday. 
The Spanish fleet, which the governor-general had 
been overpersuaded by Admiral Montejo to order to 
sea to meet and destroy the ''coward Yankee pigs" 
there, was recalled Saturday afternoon and lined up, 
seven miles down the bay from Manila, at Cavite, 
where the arsenal, dry docks, and naval workshops 
were defended by a long line of earthworks. 

Those works had been greatly strengthened by 
the addition of several big modern guns and regarded 
as very formidable by the old-fashioned Spanish 
military engineers. The fort on Corregidor Island, 
the battery on Caballo Island and the works on the 
mainland points to the north and south of those 
islands were all in readiness, and the chain of mines 
which guarded both channels was prepared to l)low 
up each American ship as it passed. Saturday night 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 141 

fell with the Spaniards on land and water quite 
cheerful over the coming engagement. 

Shortly after miduiglit, the darkness being intense, 
one of tlie guns on Corregid or suddenly boomed out. 
All the other guns about the entrance to the bay 
took up the cry. 

The anxious people of Manila, twenty miles up 
the bay, poured into the streets. They thought the 
battle had begun in reality. 

The American fleet was already past the entrance 
and was on its way up the opposite side of the bay. 
It was a nio;]]t of terror in Manila. The women 
and children fled to the churches, while the men 
rushed to and fro in the streets. Dismay seized 
upon the Spanish soldiers. They had not believed 
that the Americans could ever get past tlie entrance 
batteries and mines. Long before dawn the panic 
became a frenzy because of the rejiorts that came in 
from the interior of the island that the natives wei'e 
massing for a descent upon the city to pillage and 
to massacre. When day broke the tens of thou- 
sands watchino; on all sides of the vast and beautiful 
harbor saw the enemy in line of battle about ten 
miles out, directly in front of Manila. 

There were nine vessels in all, as follows : The 
second-class protected cruiser Olympia, 5,800 tons, a 
swift commerce destroyer, carrying four terrible 
eight-inch guns and ten deadly five-inch quick-firers ; 
the second-class protected cruiser Baltimore, scarcely 



14:2 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

less formidable tban the Olympia, with four eight- 
inch guns and six six-inch rapid-firers ; the second- 
class protected cruiser Boston, smaller than the 
Olympia and the Baltimore, but still a real and 
powerful floating fort, with her two eight-inch guns 
and her six six-inch rapid-firers; the second-class 
cruiser Raleigh, of about the same size as the Bos- 
ton, with one six-inch and ten five-inch guns ; the 
partially protected gunboat Concord, with six six- 
inch guns; then there was the little gunboat Petrel, 
with four six-inch guns, and the steel-clad revenue 
cutter Hugh McCulloch, turned into a gunboat. To 
the rear were the two transport ships Zafiro and the 
Manshan, with coal, ammunition, and accommodations 
for the wounded. 

With the bright American banner floating gayly 
over each ship, with the rigging, the decks, and all 
visible appointments so neat and trim, the fleet 
seemed out for a holiday rather than awaiting the 
opening of the first demonstration of an ironclad 
fleet in action that the world had known. The 
Spaniards could hardly believe their own eyes on 
seeing this formidable apparition in the very center 
of their harbor, almost within firing distance of the 
capital city of their last remaining Eastern posses- 
sion. It seemed incredible, impossible. They had 
not long to watch and speculate. The sun was 
hardly clear of the horizon before the American fleet 
began to steam in slow and stately fashion straight 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 143 

in toward the city. Near its resting-place was an- 
chored three men-of-war from three different nations 
— France, Germany, and England. The decks and 
rigging of each of these ships were thronged w^ith 
eager officers and sailors. Discipline seemed to have 
been forgotten in the intense desire to see what the 
Yankees would do — those Yankees who, in three- 
quarters of a century, had never sent a hostile fleet 
into any port of a European power. 

On came the American fleet until it was within 
about three miles of Manila. Then the Spanish 
guns of the battery at the end of the Mole spoke ; but 
the shot fell short. Then from the Spanish fleet, 
steaming slowly up from Cavite, came several shots. 
The American fleet turned, and the duellists were 
face to face. To expert eyes the Spanish fleet 
seemed far inferior. Yet the people watching, and 
apparently to the Spanish officers and sailors, the 
difference did not seem 2;reat. 

The Spanish ships were of older patterns, smaller, 
but more numerous. 

They were: the Reina Cristina, of 3,090 tons, 
with six six-inch and two three-inch guns ; the Castilla, 
wdth four six-inch and two five-inch guns ; the Isla de 
Cuba and the Isla de Luzon, with four seven-inch 
guns; three torpedo boats, each of which the Spanish 
naval officers thought could take care of the Olym- 
pia and the Baltimore. As for the rest of the 
American fleet they relied upon the Don Antonio, 



144 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the IT lloa, the Don Juan de Austria, the Velasco, and 
ten gunboats. Then there were the batteries on 
shore all along the low peninsula. To get the full 
effect of all their guns, the Spaniards formed so that 
the Americans would have to face not only all the 
guns afloat, but also all guns on shore at Cavite, 
while from the rear the strong batteries of Manila 
could perhaps send aiding shots. 

When the American raaneuverino; brousfht their 
ships within range, at about 6:45 a. m., the conflict 
began. The Spanish stood steady, flanked by the 
Cavite batteries on the south. The American fleet 
began to steam languidly to and fro. There were 
one or two sharp cracks, then a succession of deafen- 
ing roars, and then one long, reverberating roar that 
boomed and bellowed from shore to shore. A huge 
cloud of smoke lay close upon the waters, and around 
it was a penumbra of thick haze. Through this the 
American ships could be seen moving, now slowly, 
now more rapidly, flames shooting from their sides, 
and answering flames leaping from the Spanish ships 
and land batteries, while now and then from the 
direction of Manila came a hollow rumble as the 
big guns there were discharged, more from eagerness 
to take part tlian from hope of lending effective aid. 
It was impossible to see from the shore the effect of 
many of the shots, but from the fact that the Ameri- 
can ships were alternately advancing and retreating 
in the course of their maneuverings, the Spaniards 




Major-Gkneral TViLLiAir R. Sh after. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 145 

on shore got the impression that the Yankees were 
being beaten. 

About 7:30 a. m. there was a lull in the terrific 
uproar. The wind blew aw^ay the haze and smoke, 
and one of the American gunboats was seen making 
oS toward the western part of the bay. A cheer 
went up from the Spaniards. The flames burst from 
the bow of the Cristina, one of the two best ships- 
aud the flagship of the fleet. The Americans again 
closed in and the uproar was renewed wdth increased 
fury. 

The Americans had not suffered great loss up to 
this time, as not many shots from the heroic but 
incompetent Spanish gunners had struck them. 
When the ships were again seen the Cristina was 
wrapped in flames. On her decks the sailors, Span- 
iards and natives, were rushing frantically about. 
The Isla de Cuba went near. A part of the Cris- 
tina's creAv — perhaps all that w'ere still alive — with 
the Spanish admiral went aboard her. But hardly 
were they aboard when she, too, burst into flames. 

Confusion now reigned throughout the Spanish 
fleet. On every vessel the decks were slippery wdth 
blood, and the air was filled with shrieks and groans 
of the wounded. 

The Sj)aniards and the native soldiers ran about 
in a frenzy of rage rather than of terioi*. The 
Americans pushed on too closely, for they, too, be- 
gan to lose as the fire from the Cavite batteries be- 



146 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

came effective. At this juncture the Don Juan de 
Austria became the center of interest. She had been 
in the very front of the battle and had received per- 
haps more of the American shots than any other. 
Admiral Montejo, on the burning Cuba, threw up 
his arms with a gesture of despair as a heavy roar 
came from the Austria and part of her deck flew up 
in the air, taking with it scores of dead and dying 
and mangled. 

A shot had set off one of her magazines. She 
was ruined and sinking. But her crew refused to 
leave her. Weeping, cursing, praying, firing madly 
and blindly, they went down with her. As the Don 
Juan went down the Castilla burst into flames. The 
remainder of the Spanish fleet now turned and fled 
down the long, narrow inlet behind Cavite. Several 
of the gunboats were run ashore, others fled up a 
small creek and were grounded there. 

The guns of Cavite kept on thundering, and the 
Americans, pressing their advantage no further, drew 
off. As they steamed away toward their waiting 
transports, the Spaniards went wild with joy. They 
thought that, in spite of outward appearances, the 
American fleet was crippled, and that as it would 
be unable to escape from the harbor, it would fall 
into their hands. This was telegraphed up to 
Manila, and so on to Madrid, where it filled 
the ministry with momentary delight. But be- 
fore the ministers of Madrid had read the false 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 147 

news fhe American fleet, with decks again cleared 
and fresh supplies of ammunition, was steam- 
ing back toward Cavite to annihilate the rem- 
nant of Montejo's fleet and completely silence the 
land batteries, which was fully accomplished. 

The courage of the Spaniards was as great as their 
overwhelming ruin. They had lost heavily. Their 
flags had been shot from the waters of Manila Bay, 
the last Spanish ship lay in ruins, and the last pos- 
sible chance of resisting the relentless Americans, 
whom they now hated, was gone absolutely. Yet, 
emulating the despairing heroism of the officers and 
crew of the Don Juan de Austria, they hurled de- 
fiance at the American fleet lying so tranquil just out 
of reach of the battery on the mole at Manila. All 
efforts on the part of the foreign consuls to dissuade 
them were in vain ; they had made up their minds 
to go down with the ruins and to sacrifice further 
lives in an insane resistance. 

Dr. Kindleberger gave a graphic account of the 
terrific fight to a San Francisco newspaper. He was 
on the Olympia through it all : 

"In the first assault the flagship took the lead, the 
other vessels following in her wake at four ships' 
lengths. The Spanish fleet was approached by laps, 
each turn brinofing^ the contestants nearer toirether. 
By this plan the American vessels frequently poured 
broadsides into the enemy, but were themselves more 
exposed to fire. 



148 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

"At one time the smoke became so dense that it 
became necessary to draw aside, allowing the cloud 
to lift. The vessels were examined, and it was 
found that they had sustained no damage. Break- 
fast was served to the men, and in a few minutes 
they re-entered the fight with the greatest enthu- 
siasm. 

" The second fight was even more fierce than the 
first. It was in that the Baltimore was struck. 

"During the first fight the Spanish admiral's ship 
put bravely out of the line to meet the Olyrapia 
The entire American fleet concentrated fire on her, 
and she was so badly injured that she turned around 
to put back. At this juncture the Olympia let fiy 
an eight-inch shell, which struck her stern and 
pierced through almost her entire length, exploding 
finally in the engine-room, wrecking her machineiy. 
This shell killed the captain and sixteen men and 
set the vessel on fire. 

'^ In the heat of tlie fight two torpedo boats moved 
out to attack the fleet. They were allowed to come 
within 800 yards, when a fusillade from the Olympia 
sent one to the bottom with all on board and riddled 
the other. The second boat was later found turned 
up on the beach, covered with blood. 

"In the second fight the Baltimore was sent to 
silence the fort at Cavite. She plunged into a cloud 
of smoke and opened all her batteries on the fortifi- 
cations. In a very few minutes a shell struck in the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 149 

ammunition and tbe fort blew up witli a deafening 



roar 



The work of the Baltimore was glorious. After 
the principal ships had been destroyed, the Concord, 
Ealeigh, and Petrel being of light draught, were 
sent close in to handle the remaining vessels of the 
fleet. They made quick work of them. 

''In taking possession of the land forts several 
hundred wounded Spaniards fell into the hands of 
the Americans, and nearly two hundred dead were 
accounted for on the spot. Holes in which numbers 
had been hastily buried were found. The dead were 
returned to relatives so far as this could be done, and 
the wounded were cared for in the best manner by 
the American surgeons. 

''The Spanish loss footed up 400 killed, 600 
wounded, and a property loss of anywhere from 
$6,000,000 to $10,000,000. 

" The day of the fight was clear and hot. Not a 
breath of air w^as stirrins:. 

*' After the first battle the Americans were greatly 
fagged by the heat, and the rest and breakfast al- 
lowed them by the commodore was of inestimable 
benefit. When the men were at breakfast a confer- 
ence of all ofiScers was held on board the Olympia, 
when the plan of the second battle was made known 
by the commodore. 

"Several shots struck the Olympia, and she was 
pierced a number of times. Cue shell struck the 



150 HISTORY Of THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

side of the ship against the hospital ward. The 
chaplaiu and nurses were watching the fight through 
a port a few inches away, and were stunned by the 
concussion. 

" Experts have figured out that the fighting volume 
of the guns of the respective sides of the battle w^as 
three for the Americans against seven for the Span- 
iards. It is clear, then, that the advantage was in 
the ships and men themselves, the Americans having 
the experience and nerve. 

" Gunner Evans, of the Boston, was one of the 
men who sent the Spanish ships down. He directed 
the fire of one of the big guns. As such officer he 
was at the time greatly exposed, but did not receive 
an injury. Not a man on the Boston received a 
scratch." 

Another eye-witness gives the following interest- 
ing account of Dewey's famous fight : 

"The more I recall the events of last Sunday's 
battle the more miraculous it seems that no Ameri- 
can lost his life. 

" The shell that entered the Boston's wardroom 
was going straight for Paymaster Martin when it 
exploded within five feet of him, yet he was not 
touched. 

"Aboard the Olympia the surgeons' operating 
table was placed in the wardroom. Chaplain Frazier, 
who was assisting the surgeon, had his head out of 
one of the six-pounder gunports when a shell struck 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. lol 

the ship's side less than a yard away. The chaplain 
pulled his head in just in time to escape having it 
blown off, as the shell instantly burst. 

" Three fragments of one shell struck the Olympia 
within a radius of fifteen feet from Commodore 
Dewey. 

" The armor-piercing projectile that exploded the 
box of three-pounder ammunition on board the 
Baltimore passed between two groups of men so 
close to each other that it is difficult to see how all 
escaped. 

"The British gunboat Linnet entered the bay 
Monday, but, some of her men having the plague, 
she did not come near our ships. 

" The French armored cruiser Bruix entered the 
bay to-day. The British cruiser Immortalite is un- 
derstood to be on her way to Manila. 

" Eighty Spanish bodies were found unburied 
Monday night, and w^e gave them burial Tuesday 
morning, calling in a Roman Catholic priest to read 
the burial service over their remains. 

" The bodies presented a horrible sight. One had 
the head almost wholly carried away. Another had 
been struck in the stomach by a large projectile, 
cutting everything away to the backbone. 

" One very large man, apparently an officer, was 
not only mangled, but burned, and all the bodies 
were frightfully bloated. 

"To add to the horror of the scene, several lean, 



152 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

wolf-like dogs had discovered the bodies before we 
had. 

" Probably there were nowhere a more interested 
or more thoroughly happy set of persons than the 
group of wives of the American naval officers who 
have been living in Hong Kong in order to be near 
their husbands. 

" Having heard but little except alarming rumors 
since the squadron left for Manila, they are now re- 
covering their normal serenity with the certainty 
that their husbands are safe. There are about a 
dozen of these officers' wives, forming a little navy 
colony here." 

Not an American was killed, and only seven or 
eight injured in the engagement. Since the battle 
of New Orleans there has never been such disparage- 
ment in casualties. At first Americans could hardly 
believe the story. The wildest rumors were afloat 
and sensible people doubted everything. Dewey's 
report was long in coming. * 

Suddenly in the midst of the exciting events when 
every villager was annoying the telegraph operator 
for news " goiuo^ over the wires," all communications 
were suddenly cut off. There was no uneasiness 
felt, for it was believed that the American commo- 
dore had possession of the cable. Some even sug- 
gested that he had cut the cable himself. Those 
calculated to ridicule the naval board, thought Dewey 
had cut off communication in order to keep them 




COMMODOKH WlXFIELI) S. SCHLKY, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 153 

from interfering with him until be had completed 
the work. 

At once Dewey became the hero of the day. He 
was the object of hundreds of wretched puns, 
the poet dipped his pen in crimson ink, and sought 
to catch inspiration to write of his daring deeds, 
seven hundred and thirty-six boy babies were named 
Dewey the first week after the victory, and he was 
nominated by acclamation for President of the United 
States for 1900, before any one knew what his polit- 
ical creed was, whether he would accept, or whether 
he possessed the qualification requisite for the office. 
Taylor was made President because " he fit the 
Mexicans," and they determined to force the same 
office on the hero of Manila. 

The man who had before been an obscure seaman 
suddenly woke up on the morning of May 1, 1898, 
to find himself, after a baptism of fire, famous. The 
tendency of American people to hero worship is as 
great as in any other nation, and despite the fact our 
military presidents save Washington have been fail- 
ures, they have not yet learned that there is a vast 
difference between soldiers, sailors, and statesmen. 

Days passed in wretched anxiety, and no news 
came from Dewey, and there was dread throughout 
the land, though the authorities at Washington con- 
tinued to declare there was no need for alarm. 

The President hastened to tender the thanks of a 
grateful nation to the conqueror; he was made a 



154 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

rear admiral, and Congress gave liim a vote of 
thanks. 

The great cities throughout the nation held cele- 
brations, and from nearly every home in the land the 
Stars and Stripes flew, while the button venders 
made small fortunes by the disposal of Dewey 
buttons. 

Meanwhile the capture of the Manila Islands 
brought new problems into the war, which had not be- 
fore been considered. Foreign powers began to ask 
what our intentions were. Germany, and even the Sul- 
tan of Turkey, with many other jjowers, began to enter 
protests against the United States holding the Philip- 
pines. The American government was Arm, how- 
ever; having laid the hand to the plow it determined 
not to make any retraction. It was at once seen, 
however, that a larger army than had been at first 
calculated upon was necessary. It was demon- 
strated that although a navy could bombard a seaport 
town, it could do no more, and that an army was 
essential to complete the conquest. It was decided 
to hold the Philippines, Porto Rico and Cuba, for 
the President decided on the 1st of May, or as soon 
as he learned of the victory, to send an army to the 
Philippines and hold them. 

More ships, more sailors and more soldiers were 
necessary to conducting the war successfully. Six 
days had elapsed and as yet there was no news from 
Dewey. This ominous silence began to have its 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 155 

effect. Fears of Spanisli treachery, or that the fleet 
had been blown up in the harbor were entertained. 

Some of the cheap newspapers without a corres- 
pondent in the field published sensational reports of 
the capture of Manila itself. The cliaracter of' these 
journals was soon discovered and people ceased to 
be agitated or alarmed at their wild rumors. 

On May 7, 1898, just seven days after he had 
gained his wonderful victory, the first official report 
was received from Dewey from the dispatch boat 
McCullough by way of Hong Kong. Though one 
report was dated May 1, and the second May 4, both 
were received at the Navy Department on the 7th, 
the first report was as follows : 

'* Manila, May 1: The squadron arrived at Manila at 
daybreak this morning. I immediately engaged the enemy 
and destroyed the following Spanish war vessels: 

" Reina Cristina, Castila, Don Antonio de Uloa, Isla de 
Luzon, Isla de Cuba, General Lozo, Marques de Duero, 
Velasco, Isla de Mindanao, a transport and water battery at 
Cavite. 

"The squadron is uninjured, and only a few men were 
slightly wounded. 

" The only means of telegraphing is to the American 
Consul at Hong Kong. I shall communicate with him. 

" Dewey." 

The second report was fully as brief and as satis- 
factory. 

" Cavite, May 4: I have taken possession of the naval 



156 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

station at Cavite on the Philippine Islands. Have destroyed 
the fortifications at the bay entrance, paroling the garrison. 
I control the bay completely and can take the city at any 
time. 

**The squadron is in excellent health and spirits. 

"The Spanish loss is not fully known, but is very heavy 
— 150 killed, including the captain of the Reina Cristina. 

"I am assisting in protecting the Spanish sick and 
■wounded, having 250 sick and wounded in the hospital 
within our lines. 

** There is much excitement in Manila. I will protect the 
foreign residents. Dewey." 



Dewey had destroyed the fleet of the Spanish 
admiral and successfully bombarded the fortifica- 
tions, but was not yet in possession of the city and 
the Philippine Islands. It was plainly evident that 
he was in need of reinforcements and at once. 

The War Department determined to send Major- 
General Wesley Merritt of the regular army as 
military governor of the Philippines and a force of 
fifteen thousand men to occupy them. 

General Merritt insisted on having regular troops 
instead of volunteers, but was finally induced to 
accept the command with some regiments of regular 
soldiers and the remainder made up of volunteers. 

Dewey's victory, though great according to Euro- 
pean critics, was no more than could be looked for. 
His fleet, in ships, men and guns was far superior to 
the enemy, and one European critic says all he had 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 157 

to do was to keep out of range of the small calibre 
guns of the enemy, and sink their ships with his 
heavier metal. While all credit was given Dewey 
for his boldness in entering a mined and torpedoed 
harbor, the European press was filled with praise 
for Spanish bravery. They went down with their 
colors flying making good the words of Carantha, 
preferring death to surrender. 

There is no need of denying the fact that the 
Spanish are courageous, and that they fight with a 
valor which in defeat almost amounts to desperation, 
but their judgment and tactics are poor, and their 
ofiicers incompetent, which accounts for their 
disasters. 

The Spaniards proved to not be easily discouraged 
by defeat. When Dewey demanded the surrender 
of the guns at Manila he was defiantly told to come 
and get them. The Spanish press belittled the so- 
called victory of the Americans at Manila, and 
declared that the Yankees were repulsed and dared 
not come within range of their great shore batteries. 
The Americans w^ere called pigs whom the Spanish 
correspondent declared left Manila for Hong Kong 
with drooping snouts, but all the while the Ameri- 
can fleet was in possession of the harbor, prohibiting 
a single Spaniard from escaping even if he had had 
a ship to leave port. 

There was considerable delay in sending troops 
and supplies to the Philippines, all the while the 



158 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

American squadron was menaced by the Spanish 
fleet of Cadiz. 

An unknown quantity in the campaign was the 
fleet of Admiral Cervera. He was reported to have 
sailed from Cadiz a dozen times. The Spaniards 
after the Manila disaster suddenly grew very non- 
committal and mysterious. The maneuvering of 
their fleet greatly puzzled the Naval Strategy Board 
at Washinofton. At one time it was feared that 
Cervera was going to make a covp-de-etat on Dewey 
.and redeem all Montejo had lost, and next that 
Havana was threatened, while timid souls on the 
New England seaboard were almost thrown into 
spasms in fear of the bombardment of some summer 
resort or fishing hamlet. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 159 



CHAPTER VI. 

REPULSED AT CARDENAS ENSIGN WILLAED's HEROIC 

ACT — BOJIBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN. 

The war iu the West Indies materially cbanged 
during the month of May. It was no longer a 
peaceful blockade nor a war of chasing peaceful 
merchantmen. Blood began to flow in earnest, and 
blood flowed on the American side as well as the 
Spanish. The poor marksmanship of the Spaniards 
had caused the American naval officers, especially 
the younger men, to des]_)ise their gunners, and there 
were hundreds of daring; feats which older heads dis- 
approved. 

Gunboats and torpedo boats in command of 
brave, dashing but inexperienced men went danger- 
ously near the shoi'e batteries, until a shell fired at a 
mile range from a Havana fort came very nearly 
sinking one of the daring little craft. 

The Spanish Cape Verde fleet, which had been 
reported to have started for the West Indies, was, 
up to the 12th, a mystery. The names, strength, 
and size of the ships were unknown, nor could they 
be ascertained by naval experts until it was reported 
iit Martinique, where it coaled, although France had 



160 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

declared for iieutralit}^ and coal bad been made a 
contraband of war. The sympathy of France and 
Austria for Spain was apparent from the beginning. 
On the 6th of May the French steamer Lafayette 
was seized while trying to run the blockade into 
Havana. She was afterward ordered released and 
entered the port, and it was then reported that she 
carried Spanish supplies and gunners into Havana. 

On the 10th of May it was reported that the Cape 
Verde fleet had returned to Cadiz, Spain, but the 
story was not believed. Many thought it only a 
ruse to deceive Admiral Sampson. On the same 
day Premier Sagasta gave out an important inter- 
view on the Sj^anish-Cuban situation. He said 
Spain did more than should have been done to avoid 
conflict, until the conduct of the United States made 
war inevitable. He declared that Spain was deso- 
lated and ruined by internal troubles, and the United 
States having long coveted Cuba, was taking advan- 
tage of her misfortunes. 

The 11th was destined to be the day on which the 
first martyrs to the cause of America in the war were 
to lay down their lives for their country ; also to 
mark the first real repulse. The war vessels Hud- 
son and Wilmington and the torpedo boat Winslow, 
with the gunboat Machias, steamed down the coast 
to Cardenas on this morning, and shortly after two 
o'clock the Hudson, AVinslow, and Wilmington en- 
tered the harbor to attack some Spanish gunboats 




Rear-admiral (;e()R(;k Dewey. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. IGl 

seen there. The Machias, beii)g a heavy draught 
vessel, did not venture in, but began tlie bombard- 
ment of a fort called Diana Cay. 

The Wilmington and the Hudson were ahead and 
opened fire on the Spanish boats, which were lying 
at the docks. The firing began at a range of 3,500 
yards. A few minutes later the Winslow came up 
and also opened fire. In an instant the entire atten- 
tion of the Spanish gunboats and land batteries was 
directed upon her. From all sides shot and shell 
poured in on the little torpedo boat. The Wilming- 
ton and the Hudson still kept up their fire, but they 
could not turn aside the terrible storm of fire and 
death pouring in upon the torpedo boat. The crew 
of the Winslow, however, never faltered for a sec- 
ond. At two-thirty-five a solid shot crashed into 
the hull of the Winslow and knocked out her boiler. 
In an instant she began to roll and drift helplessly. 

Then there was a moment of awful suspense. A 
fierce cheer of triumph went up from the Spaniards 
on the gunboats and on the batteries, and again a 
storm of fire was opened on the helpless boat. The 
Hudson, which was lying near by, started to the 
assistance of the Winslow. She ran along-side the 
torpedo boat and tried to throw a line to the imper- 
illed crew. Up to this time, with the exception of 
the one shot which disabled the boiler of the Win- 
slow, the firing of the Spanish gunboats had been 
wild, but as the AVinslow lay rolling in the water 



162 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the range grew closer, and shells began to explode 
all about her. 

It was difficult for the Hudson to get near enough 
to throw a line to the Winslow's crew, so terrible 
was the fire all about her. Finally, after about 
twenty minutes, the Hudson approached near 
enough to throw a line. Ensign Bagley and six 
men were standing in a group on the deck of the 
Winslow. 

" Heave her, heave her !" shouted Bagley, as he 
looked toward the commander of the Hudson, and 
called for a line. 

"Don't miss it," shouted an officer from the Hud- 
son, and, with a smile, Bagley called back: "Let 
her come. It's o-ettiuQ- too hot here for comfort." 

The line was thrown, and about the same instant 
a shell burst in the very midst of the group of men 
on board the Wins^oi^^ Bagley was instantly killed 
and half a dozen more fell groaning on the blood- 
stained deck. One of the dead men pitched head- 
long over the side of the boat ; but his feet caught 
in tlie iron rail and he was pulled back. Bagley 
lay stretched on the deck, with his face completely 
torn away and the upper part of his body shattered. 
It was a terrible moment. The torpedo boat, disa- 
bled and helpless, rolled and swayed under the fury 
of the fire from the Spanish gunboats. When the 
shell burst in the group on board the Winslow an- 
other wild shout of triumph went up from the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 103 

Spanish boats and 'batteries, and again a heavy fire 
was opened on the toi-pedo boat. 

Finally the Hudson succeeded in getting a line on 
board the AVinslow, and was towing her out of the 
deadly range when the line parted, and again both 
boats were at the mercy of the Spanish. At ten min- 
utes to four p.^r. the Hudson managed to get another 
line on the deck of the Winslow, but there were 
only three men left at that time to make it fast. 

The line was finally secured and the Winslow was 
towed up to Pedras Island, where she was anchored 
with her dead and wounded on her decks. There 
some men from the Hudson went on board the 
Winslow and took the most seriously wounded men 
off. Three who were taken on board the gunboat 
Machias died shortly afterward. At a quarter-j)ast 
three on May 12th the Hudson with the dead bodies 
and some of the wounded started for Key West, arriv- 
ing there at eight o'clock next morning. 

Commander Bernadou of the Winslow was 
wounded in the left leg, but not seriously. Lying 
in the cabin of the Hudson he received a representa- 
tive of the Associated Press and told him the story 
of the fifdjt. He said: "We went into harbor under 
orders. The torpedo boat Winslow was the worst 
injured. She had five of her men killed, and I don't 
know how many injured. The AVinslow was ordered 
by the commander of the Wilmington to go into the 
harbor of Cardenas and attack the Spanish gunboats 



164 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

there. AVe steamed in under full Lead, and were 
fired upon as soon as we \vere in range. The Span- 
ish boats were tied up at the docks, and had a fair 
range on us. The batteries on shore also opened on 
us, and I think we received most of the fire. I do 
not know whether any one was hurt on the Wilming- 
ton or on the Hudson, but I think not. I have no 
fault to find with the Winslow's crew. They acted 
nobly all the way through. The men who were 
killed fell at the same time. We were standing in 
a group, and the aim of the Spanish was perfect. A 
shell burst in our very faces." 

On the 13th the AVinslow was towed into Key 
West, where a reporter gave the following description 
of its appearance : 

" The torpedo boat Winslow which was so badly 
cut up in the action off Cardenas, was hauled along- 
side the Curry's wharf this noon, and is now the 
object of curious interest on the part of crowds that 
have assembled there. Many naval officers called 
also to inspect the vessel, and after learning the full 
details of the encounter express an opinion that the 
Cushing's exploit was outdone by this dashing ven- 
ture of a torpedo boat against a battery. As to the 
orders sent her to that encounter, some well-known 
lines from Tennyson's poem, 'The Charge of the 
Light Brigade,' are freely quoted. 

"In looking over the vessel it was found that a 
shell had struck a forward port torpedo and passed 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 165 

the gun-cotton charge without exploding the missile. 
This is an item of news that will be read with much 
interest by those who have contended that a gun- 
cotton torpedo is likely to explode if struck by a 
shell. So far as is known, this is the first time a 
torpedo with warhead shipped and final adjustments 
for firing made has ever been hit by a projectile. 
The result will unquestionably set at rest all doubts 
as to the effect of projectiles on gun-cotton torpedoes. 
The torpedo is ruined beyond repair. The forward 
boilers of the Winslow were perforated by a shell 
which passed clean through the boat. 

" Another shell struck the intermediate cylinder 
of the starboard engines and lodged there. One 
ventilator was shot clean away. A box containing 
sixty charges of one-pounder fixed ammunition was 
hit by a shell, and, although the box was set on fire, 
the contents were not exploded. Unless boiler- 
makers are sent here to repair the boilers at once it 
will be necessary to send the boat to a navy yard. The 
body of Ensign-Cadet Bagley, who was killed in the 
fight, was transferred from the morgue to-day and 
placed on the Mascotte for shipment north. A 
guard of honor accompanied the casket from the 
morgue to the ship. 

"The Winslow lost fifty per cent, of crew in 
killed and wounded, but the survivors are not dis- 
couraged, and are just as eager now for another 'go' 
at the enemy as they were before their decks were 



166 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

made slippery witli the good blood of American 
seamen. 

" Modest these men are, and none of them wish 
me to use their names. They pass lightly over 
their conduct to speak in high praise of the hearing 
of their brave young officers, Bernadou, who early 
in the action received a wound that would have 
sent a fainter heart below, and his valiant executive 
officer. Worth Bagley, naval cadet fiom North 
Carolina. 

" Bernadou came into my life sixteen years ago, one 
winter morning in New Orleans, w^hen I saw him 
fling himself overboard to rescue a sailor whose 
boat had been swamped in the Mississipj^i in the 
swift tide. He rescued his man, but, weighed down 
wath heavy clothing, he narrowly missed losing his 
life. With the impetuosity and dash that go with 
the torpedo service, he has the cool judgment and 
unflinching nerve that never waver in the face of 
peril. 

" I have been expecting that he would be heard 
from, and the reports I have had to-night from his 
men are characteristic of the man. 

'' When that fragment of shell tore a great gaping 
wound in his thigh he staggered a bit, leaned against 
the conning tower for support, gave some necessary 
orders about the helm and speed, and then told one 
of the men to jump below and bring him a towel. 
The towel was brought, and Bernadou, seizing a one- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 167 

pounder cartridge, improvised a tourniquet in an 
effort to staunch tlie fatal drain which w^as redden- 
ing the deck about him. For several minutes after 
binding the towel over the wound, and twisting it 
tight with the tourniquet, he stood at his post near 
the forward conning tower, and then sank back into 
a campstool which had been brought on deck. 

"The AVinslow was then in the thickest of the 
fight. The Spanish gunners recognized in her a 
torpedo craft, and, ignoring the Hudson, which has 
the build of a tugboat, concentrated all their fire on 
the Winslow. 

" A dozen whizzing shells struck the boat in almost 
as many seconds. One of these exploded in the for 
ward conning tower, where Quartermaster McKeown 
was standing at the wheel. The explosion tore his 
coat into shreds, but miraculously did no injury to 
the wearer beyond deafening him by the concussion. 
McKeown remained at his post. 

"Then came a shell which burst in a group of 
men gathered amidships, and which stretched 
several dead and wounded on the deck. Bagley, 
horribly mangled, was knocked overboard by the 
shock. One of the uninjured rushed to his assist- 
ance and dragged him back on board. He died a 
few minutes later." 

While the gunboats were being repulsed at Car- 
denas a daring feat was perf(,)rn)ed by Ensign 
Arthur L. Willard of Kirksville, Mo. He was on 



168 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

board the Macliias whicli, as has been stated, was 
engaged in Ijombarding the Spanish fort Diana Cay. 
The Machias succeeded in battering down the walls 
and silencing the Spanish guns. The Spaniards were 
at last driven from the fort and sent flying into 
the wood beyond. Scarce waiting for the fire to 
cease Ensign Willard seized the American flag and 
accompanied by only three men was rowed ashore 
and ran up the stony embankment to the dismantled 
fort where the Spanish flag was still flying. The 
Spanish banner was lowered and the Stars and 
Stripes ran up in its place. Ensign Willard brought 
away the Spanish flag with him, being the first man 
to plant the Stars and Stripes on Cuban soil, 
or to bring away a captured Spanish banner from a 
Cuban fort. 

On the same day of the repulse at Cardenas the 
Americans were repulsed at Cienfuegos, where the 
cruisers Marblehead and Wiudom and gunboat 
Nashville went to cut the cables connecting Havana 
with Santiago de Cuba. This task was accomjDlished, 
but only after a terrific fight between our warships 
and Spanish troops, which lined the shore and lay 
concealed behind improvised breastworks. One 
man, a seaman named Regan, of the Marblehead, 
was killed outright, in one of the working small 
boats, and six men were severely wounded. In 
addition, a large number on board the ship received 
minor wounds. 




Captain Charles I). SKiSBEE. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. IG'J 

Captain Magiiire of the AViudom, said that several 
of the six badly-wounded men who were taken to 
Key West could not recover. 

When the commanders of the IMarblehead and 
Nashville called for volunteers to man the boats 
and cut the cable the men responded with a jump. 
Lieutenant C. McE.. Winslow, of the Nashville, took 
command of the Nashville's boats. 

The shore surrounding the entrance of the harbor 
was first shelled and then the boats proceeded in. 
The cable was deep in the channel and was found 
with difficulty. One of the relays of the cable had 
been cut when the Spaniards opened fire. 

The marines in the boat replied at once and a 
machine gun from the forward launch sent in a 
stream of bullets, while heavy shells from the war- 
ship drove the Spaniards from the rifle pits at the 
shore, many of them seeking refuge in the lighthouse 
fort, which was afterward torn to pieces by a shell 
from the Windoin. With desperate courage the 
American sailors remained calmly at their posts and 
succeeded in dragging up the second relay of the 
cable and severino: it. 

Seven badly wounded was the count, and one of 
them, Kegan, died while on the way back to the 
ship. Lieutenant Winslow was sliot in the hand 
and a number of others were more or less injured. 

On the Nashville, Captain Mayiiard was standing 
forward wdth an ensign when a Spanish bullet 



170 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

passed tlirougli the ensign's shoulder and struck 
Maynard on the cliest, wounding liim slightly. 

The Marblehead was struck scores of times by 
bullets from machine guns, and the Nnshville 
suffered to about the same extent. The AViodom 
also had many marks of the fray. Her shell blow- 
ing up the lighthouse and scattering the Spaniards 
in all directions, ended the battle. 

The losses on the 11th made the Americans 
more cautious. Though they had reason to believe 
that they had killed many of the enemy they could 
not be certain as to the number slain, for having no 
land forces they were unable to hold a single fort 
captured. 

On the 12th the United States transport 
steamer Gussie made an effort to land some troops 
at Port Cabanas and failed, for the entire shore was 
lined with Spanish soldiers. The number the trans- 
port sought to land was too small to cope with the 
enemy on shore, and the Gussie withdrew. 

The whole nation was still exercised over the 
fleet of Cervera, w'hich was elusive and puzzling. 
There were scores of contradictory reports in regard 
to it. Some had it that the fleet had returned to 
Spain, others that it had doubled on the Americans 
and was on its way to the Philippines, while a few, 
as has been said, were in great dread of the New 
England coast. 

The Naval Strategy Board held to the belief that the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 171 

fleet was on its way to AVest Indian waters. Admiral 
Sampson received orders at last to go in search of it 
and to destroy it when found. The report that it 
had coaled at Martinique was scarce received ere 
there came a report that it was in the port of San 
Juan, Porto Rico. 

Thither went Sampson's fleet, which now consisted 
of the Iowa, Indiana, New York, Terror, Amphitrite, 
Detroit, Montgomery and Porter, and arrived at the 
entrance of the harbor of San Juan about five o'clock 
on the morning of May 12, 1898. It was not with 
the purpose to capture San Juan that Sampson en- 
tered the harbor, but in the hope of finding the fleet 
of Cervera there. 

In view of the prospect of a fight with the Spanish 
heet it was not deemed expedient to leave a vessel 
in charge of the harbor, and, furtljermore, no land- 
ing force was available to take possession of the city, 
as has been stated. It was not even the intention of 
the admiral to blockade the city. 

Though there was great disap^^ointment, the 
American admiral determined not to lose an oppor- 
tunity to do the enemy some damage. 

Admiral Sampson had transferred his headquar- 
ters to the Iowa, which was temporarily, at least, 
the flagship of the squadron. Two hours before the 
warships came within range of the San Juan forts 
all hands had been called, breakfast was eaten, and 



172 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the men took tlieir places of duty, eager for the 
comiuo; fiirht. 

The fortifications at San Juan extend along the 
sea front for about a mile and a half on the north 
coast of the little coral island on which the city is 
situated. They also extend about three-quarters of 
a mile along the western shore of the island, at the 
entrance to the harbor. Thus the city is supposed 
to be protected both from the sea and from vessels 
attacking it in the harbor entrance. Our ships did 
not enter the entrance to the harbor. The channel 
is very narrow, a good part of it not being an eighth 
of a mile in width. 

There was no room for maneuverina: in this chan- 
nel, and scarcely a vessel in the squadron draws so 
little water that it would not ground if it got out of 
the channel. So the fight was carried on against 
Morro Castle, the strongest fortifications, which on the 
point are washed on one side by the ocean and on 
the other by the waters of the harbor entrance ; and 
the line of attack extended to the east, the fire be- 
ing directed upon the fortifications stretching along 
the sea at a considerable height above the water. 

The Detroit was leading the squadron as it came 
into action, but the first gun was fired by the Iowa, 
which followed her, her shot being directed upon the 
Morro fort. Then the line of vessels steamed to 
the east along the coast, each delivering its fire as it 
passed the fortifications, and when the head of the line 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN, 173 

reached the end of the fortifications it turned and 
traveled back to the starting point, the whole circuit 
making an ellipse. All the vessels of the squadron 
made this round three times. 

During the first shots the firing was a little too 
low, but in the second round the ships got the eleva- 
tion of the forts, and, for a time at least, silenced the 
guns of Morro and of some of the batteries further 
along the shore. 

Before the line got around for the second assault 
nearly ever3^thing was hidden by the clouds of 
smoke, and in most cases it was impossible to tell 
where the shots took effect or how much damage 
was done. It was believed that the Spaniards were 
repeatedly driven from the guns, and that some of 
the shots did dam;ige in the town beyond the line of 
forts. 

The cannonading was terrific and awoke thunder- 
ous echoes from the hills. The rate of firino: from 
all the ships was rapid. The fire of the Detroit was 
particularly so, and the Porter at short range drew 
the Spanish fire in a fearless manner. 

The Spaniards mounted seven very good guns, but 
their marksmanship was wretched. It was evident 
that our shots w^ere hitting the forts repeatedly, 
while the attacking fleet escaped almost untouched. 
The tendency of the enemy was to deliver its fire too 
high. 

It was not long after the fighting began before the 



174 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Americans felt perfectly indifferent to the shots of 
the enemy. They attended to their duties with ut- 
most coolness, quickly washed away the little blood 
that was spilled on the decks, and went about their 
work as though they wei-e at target practice. 

The Spaniards fired hundreds of sliots and hit the 
New York once, killing JSeaman Frank Widemark 
and breaking one of the legs of Samuel Feltman, 
ordinary seaman, and wounding three other men 
slightly. They also hit the Iowa once. 

An eight-inch shell came through one of the 
Iowa's boats and struck M. G. Merkle, a marine, on 
the elbow, shattering his arm. 

Seamen R. C. Hill and John Mitchel were slightly 
hurt by the splinters from the boat. One of the 
ventilators on the New York was penetrated by a 
shot, but the only marks on the Iowa were a shat- 
tered rail on her bridge and a dent in the iron plate 
against which the shot struck that injured Merkle. 

While the Amphritite was traveling in the ellipse, 
delivering her fire as rapidly as possible, her after 
turret got out of order, and she was unable to use it 
again during the engagement. She, however, kept 
banging away with her guns in the forward turret. 

The Detroit and Montgomery made the first 
round in front of the forts, and then were ordered 
to retire, as their guns w^ere of too light caliber, it 
was thought, to do much damage. 

The last shots fired came from the heavy guns of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 175 

the Terror, wliicli kept on landing her shots among 
the forts for some time after the order to cease firing 
had been given, as the signal had escaped her atten- 
tion. When she finally retired the other vessels 
were getting very nearly out of range, and the Ter- 
ror followed, firing as she went. 

Excepting the Morro Castle, which fronts both on 
the sea and on the harbor entrances, all the fortifica- 
tions were literally attacked in the rear. In build- 
ing her forts at all of her settlements in the West 
Indies, Spain's idea has ever been that she needed 
defense more against rebellious sulgects than exter- 
nal enemies. This is the reason why the Cabanas 
at Havana, the largest fortress there, is faced toward 
the town. It is the same way with the fortifications 
on the heights above the sea at San Jilan. 

When the squadron withdrew, the firing had occu- 
pied almost exactly three hours. So fierce was the 
American fire that had the intention been to bom- 
bard the residence part of San Juan the damage 
could hardly have been greater. The lighthouses 
were demolished soon after the firing began. Later 
on the houses in Ballaja Square, in St. Christopher 
Street, in San Jose Street, and in San Sebastian Street 
were reported in flames. The St. Catherine Insti- 
tute, the Ancient Palace, the Government House, 
the Orphan Asylum, the old theater, and several old 
churches Avere injured. 

The American officers, through their glasses, could 



176 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

see the Spaniards at work in many places where the 
fortifications had been broken down. The Spaniards 
seemed drunk with fury. They loaded and fired 
like madmen, without aiming, and without any ap- 
pearance of discipline or direction. At times their 
crazed condition led them to many absurd acts, 
such as waving swords, shaking fists, and discharg- 
ing pistols at the American line, which was barely 
within reach of their guns of longest range. 

As the American fleet withdrew one battery con- 
tinued to blaze away at it. A portion of one of the 
forts tliat was in flames was extinguished l)efore the 
American vessels got out of range. 

Neither Admiral Sampson nor any sensible person 
claimed a victory for the American fleet at San Juan. 
The only object of the admiral was to find the fleet 
of Cervera, which was reported to be in the harbor. 

Cervera s fleet was said to consist of seventeen 
vessels, large and small, and to be quite formidable. 
The bombardment of San Juan was only incidental, 
but it had a great moral effect. Sampson's oflficers 
and men had grown impatient at delay, and vexed 
at the continued disappointments. They rushed 
into the conflict with a quiet, earnest enthusiasm 
which insured success had they been prepared to 
push the work witli land forces. 

A thousand different stories were afloat concern- 
ing the bombardment. The morning papers, with 
their usual tendency to misrepresentation, announce(^ 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 17? 

the next clay that San Juan had surrendered to 
Sampson, though it really turned out that Sampson 
was a hundred miles from the city. 

On the same day of Sampson's bombardment 
Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for Great 
Britain's colonies, in a speech at Birmingham, Eng- 
land, recommended an Anglo-American alliance, 
which almost set Europe wild. The following is a 
published extract of his speech : 

"After deprecating the assertion in certain quarters 
that Lord Salisbury was 'discredited,' and the gov- 
ernment ' weak and vacillating,' he said : 'If foreign 
countries believe and act upon those statements, they 
will find themselves much mistaken, and that cour- 
teous diplomacy and graceful concessions are not 
incompatible with a firm maintenance of the country's 
honor and interests.' 

"Referring to the policy of strict isolation that 
England has pursued since the Crimean War, he 
remarked that this had been 'perfectly justifiable, 
but the time has arrived when Great Britain may be 
confronted by a combination of powers, and our first 
duty, therefore, is to withdraw all parts of the 
empire into close unity, and our next to maintain 
the bonds of permanent imity with our kinsmen 
across the Atlantic. 

"'There is a powerful and generous nation speak- 
ing our language, bred of our race, and having inter- 
ests identical with ours. I would a:o so far as to 



178 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

say that, terrible as war may be, even war itself 
would be cheaply purchased if, in a great and noble 
cause, the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack 
should wave together over an Anglo-Saxon alliance. 
It is one of the most satisfactory results of Lord 
Salisbury's policy that at the present time these two 
great nations understand each other better than they 
ever have done, since, over a century ago, they were 
separated by the blunder of a British government.' " 
Inasmuch as there had been hints that England 
would come to the defense of America, providing 
France, Austria, or other foreign powers should 
assume the caus3 of Spain, the i-emarks of the Right 
Honoral)le Joseph Chamberlain had the effect to 
silence the grumbling of France, Austria, Germany, 
and Russia, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 179 



CHAPTER YII. 

THE VOYAGE OF THE OREGON ORGANIZING THE VOL- 
UNTEER ARMY — DIFFICULTIES MET SPAIn's ELU- 
SIVE FLEET SONS OF FATHERS WAITING TO 

START LEAF FROM A SOLDIEr's DIARY. 

One of the most iiuportant and interesting events 
of the early part of the war was the wonderful voy- 
age of the Oregon. The Oregon was a United 
States battleship of 10,288 tons burden, Captain 
Charles E. Clark commander. She was built at the 
San Francisco yards, her keel laid in 1891, so that 
she was a comparatively new vessel when the war 
broke out. 

On March 1, 1898, the Oregon was at Puget 
Sound. The blowing up of the Maine and other 
entanglements with Spain made it evident that war 
was inevitable, and the Oregon was ordered to 
report at Key West. The Nicaragua Canal as yet 
being only on paper, and as even the best of our 
battleships have been unable to utilize a paper canal, 
nothing was left for Captain Clark but to sail around 
the Horn, or completely around South America, and 
up the east coast to the West Indies, thence to Key 



ISO HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

West. On tlie Gtli clay of Mnrcli the famous ship 
began its wouderful voyage of 17,499 miles. For 
days aud weeks Captain Clark and his men were cut 
off from all communications with their government, 
aud actual hostilities had commenced before they 
had any positive knowledge of war. On March 
19th the Orec-on touched at San Francisco, her last 
American port, croesed the ecpiator on March 31st, 
aud coaled at Callao, Peru, April 4th. She entered 
the Strait of Magellan April IGth, and on the next 
day was joined by tlie gunboat Marietta at Punta 
Arenas, Chile. 

On the 30th of April the Oregon reached Rio 
Janeiro, where Clark first learned that war had been 
declared. While here the news of Dewey's victory 
was received. The battleship doubled on her course 
around the Horn aud was now on the home run. 
On the Brazilian coast she picked up the purchased 
cruiser Nictheroy, and on May 8th put in at 
Bahia. Here Clark received orders to look out for 
the Cape Verde fleet, which was reported to be in 
the West Indies. 

" I can sink the Cape Verde fleet if I should meet 
it," Captain Clark declared. 

On the 20th of May the Oregon was in the vicinity 
of the West Indies, aud on the 26th of the same 
month reached the harbor of Key West, making her 
wonderful voyage of 17,499 miles in eighty -one days 
without a single break or accident, and it was 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 181 

reported tliat five cents would have covered all the 
repairs necessary. 

There is no doubt that the Oregon ran many risks 
on her long voyage. At one station where she 
coaled there was found explosives in the fuel. 
Spanish spies and Spanish treachery seemed every- 
where prevalent, and the most careful watch had to 
be kept. 

At Montreal, whither Minister Polo had gone, he, 
with Du Bosc and Lieutenant Ramon Carranza, had 
instituted a spy system, which seemed to have for 
its purpose the blowing up of American powder 
mills. The Pinkerton detective association of Chi- 
cago, ^vhich had been employed by the Spanish 
government to furnish information in regard to the 
sailing of filibustering expeditions, was charged 
with furnishing Spain with information. Some of 
the detectives claimed that the furnishing of infor- 
mation on any subject came within the legitimate 
scope of their lousiness, but on learning that it was a 
serious matter the Pinkertons denied the charge. 

Carranza and Du Bosc were busily engaged in 
organizing the spy system in Canada, but were 
finally detected and exposed by Chief Kellert of the 
detective force of Montreal and an assistant. A 
letter written by Carranza liimself was intercepted 
and publish'ed. This resulted in the expulsion of 
the spies from Canada. 

What was for a long time a mystery to the 



1§2 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

American Naval Strategy Board w^as the Spanish 
fleet known as the Cape Verde Fleet under Admiral 
Cervera. The squadron consisted of the first-class 
cruisers Vizcaya, Almiraute Oquendo, Infanta Maria 
Teresa, and Cristobal Colon, and the three torpedo- 
boat destroyers, Furor, Terror, and Pluton. At the 
time of the declaration of hostilities the fleet was at 
the Cape Verde Islands, which belong to the Portu- 
guese government. Portugal having declared for 
neutrality ordered Spain's fleet of warships to leave 
her shores, and on the 29th day of April it sailed. 

Sampson, as has been seen, left the blockading 
squadron and sailed to find the fleet, resulting in the 
bombardment of San Juan. 

The Infanta Maria Teresa and Vizcaya were re- 
ported on May 15th as entering the harbor of Cura- 
goa. The fleet was reported to be at the Windward 
Islands, and Leeward Islands, then as having gone 
through Mona Passage into the Caribbean Sea, and 
out through the Windward Passage into the Atlantic 
Ocean, until the newspapers and Naval Strategy 
Board had to admit they did not know where it was. 

There being grave apprehensions as to the Span- 
ish fleet Commodore Schley, in command of the 
Atlantic Flying Squadron, left Hampton Roads and 
sailed to the West Indian waters on May 28th to 
act in conjunction with Admiral Sampson in the 
capture or destruction of Cervera's elusive fleet. 

Just w^hen everyone had given up the Cape Verde 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIlSf. 183 

puzzle, a report went flashing over the wires that 
Cervera, or at least five ships of his fleet, had entered 
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. 

Santiago, more than any other Cuban port, thrills 
the heart of the American with righteous indigna- 
tion. It was here that innocent American blood 
was shed in 1873, when American citizens were shot 
down and trampled into an unrecognizable mass by 
the iron hoofs of Spanish cavalry. The wrath of 
the nation, which could hardly be kept down by a 
government that should then have avenged the 
wrongs, longed for an opportunity to seek it now at 
Santiago. The news that five ships of Cervera's 
fleet was in Santiago harbor was hardly abroad be- 
fore Sampson and Schley were at the mouth of the 
harbor completely bottling them up. 

The original fleet was variously estimated by 
rumors of from fourteen to twenty-four vessels, while 
from the best reports attainable but five were inside. 
There were some apprehensions as to the where- 
abouts of the remainder. 

We have so far devoted our whole attention to 
the navy but the organization of the army is deserv- 
ing of some mention. America has always been 
considered an armyless and navyless nation. The 
world had been astonished at the rapidity with 
which a formidable navy could be organized. It 
is a branch of the service in which there can be 
little political jobbery. There is but one "pull" 



184 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in the navy, that is merit, wliile in the army there 
are a thousand, the least of which is merit. 

The president's call for one hundred and twenty- 
five thousand volunteers and to raise the regular 
army to a war basis was greeted \vith cheers by all. 
There were a million young men ready to go to the 
front in defense of their country if permitted to do 
so. The call of the president was upon the National 
Guard from the States, wdiich had been the boast and 
pride of many commonwealths. But a great disap- 
pointment was in store for those who had placed so 
much confidence in the guard. Only the skeletons 
of regiments and companies were to be found. Some 
companies had but twenty-five men in them. These 
had to be recruited to a war footing, and it took 
time. As many companies had more raw recruits 
than drilled men, they could not be considered dis- 
ciplined troops by any means. 

The war afforded politicians excellent opportu- 
nities to pay off political debts of which they ^vere 
not slow to avail themselves. The governors of the 
States were given power to organize regiments and 
commission the ofiicers, while the right to appoint 
all generals and their staff, with other volunteer 
officers in special cases, was left to the president. 

The appointments caused many very unpleasant 
criticisms. Red-nosed, pop-eyed political thugs 
strutted about with shoulder straps as the reward 
of some disgraceful political deal in the past, while 




O 

H 

X 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 185 

competeDt deserving men in civil life as well as tLe 
army were ignored. Tampa, Chickamauga, and 
Falls Cliurch were tlie points early selected for 
mobilizing troops. 

Cora missionary and quartermaster departments 
seem to have suffered most from inefficiency; volun- 
teers were rushed by the tliousands to camps with- 
out tents or blankets, some without food or water. 
The men bore tlieir hardships bravely, thinking it 
glorious to suffer for their country. 

Not alone were the governors accused of political 
jobbery, but the pi-esident, secretary of war, and 
adjutant-general. Fortunately our glorious country 
permits ev^en the lowliest citizen to criticise the 
highest official in authority. Many of the appoint- 
ments of the president were weak. 

One of the most conservative journals in the 
countiy boldly attacked the president for his tend- 
ency to appoint the sons of rich men to office in the 
army w^here comfort, health and lives might suffer 
from incompetence. After stating the president's 
preference for wealthy men in civil appointments, 
the journal editorially concluded: 

"President McKiuley has tickled the fancy of dot- 
ing parents and measured up to the commendable 
pride of private friendships by a[)pointing the inex- 
perienced sons of rich and influential families to 
important positions in the military service. 

"To be inspectors-general, with the rank of lieu- 



186 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

tenantcolouel, be has Darned Jolin Jacob Astor and 
Charles A. Wliittier of New York, and Curtis 
Guild, Jr., of Massachusetts. He has bestowed the 
honors and intrusted the duties of assistant adju- 
tant-general, with the rank of captaiu, upon AVilliaui 
Astor Chanler of New York, Erskine Hewitt of New 
York, Walter L. Bouve of Massachusetts, Frederick 
M. Alger of Michigan, James G. Blaine, Jr., of 
Maine, and W. B. Allison, Jr., of Iowa. 

" All of these names re]3resent great wealth and 
power in the United States. With the possible 
exception of John Jacob Astor, and his relative 
Chanler, it cannot be claimed for any of the young 
gentlemen thus honored by the president that they 
have done anything that shows their fitness to serve 
the country in the capacities designated. Mr. Astor 
has managed the large estate bequeathed by a far- 
sighted and shrewd ancestor presumably with entire 
satisfaction to those directly interested in its earnings. 
This may or may not indicate that he will give 
satisfactory service to the country and the army as 
an inspector." 

The tendency of the president to appoint the sons 
of great men met with much ridicule, of which the 
New York Evening Post gave the following humor- 
ous classified report: 

Some appointments to the army — classified 
according to reasons for appointment : 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 187 

Sons of Fathers. 
Name. Rank. Father. 

r red M. Alger Captain Secretary of War. 

Russell B. Harrison Major Benjamin Harrison. 

James G. Blaine Captain James G. Blaine. 

John A. Logan Major General J. A. Logan. 

Fitzhugh Lee, Jr First Lieutenant.. .General Fitzhugh Lee. ' 

Edward Murphy, 2d Captain Senator E. Murphy. 

A. C. Gray Lieut.-Colonel Senator Gray. 

William J. Sewell Captain Senator Sewell. 

Thomas C. Catchings, Jr Captain Representative T. C. CatchingS. 

John A. Hull Lieut.-Colonel Representative Hull. 

Hugh H. Gordon Blajor Ex-Senator Gordon. ' 

Stewart 31. Brice Captain Ex-Senator Brice. 

Hiram E. Mitchell Captain Ex-Senator Mitchell. 

John Earle Captain Late Senator Earle. 

Seth M. Milliken Captain Late Representative Milliken. 

R. W. Thompson, Jr Captain Ex-Secretary Thompson. 

Britton Davis Captain Ex-Governor E. Davis. 

C. L. Woodbury Major Ex-Governor Woodbury. 

W. B. Rochester, Jr Captain General W. B. Rochester. 

H. S. New Captain Ex-Consul-General New. 

P. B. Strong Captain Ex-Mayor Strong. 

Erskine Hewitt Captain Ex-Mayor Hewitt. 

Lloyd C. Griscom Captain Clement A. Griscom. 

W. E. EngUsh Captain W. H. EngUsh. 

Grandsons. 
Name. Rank. Grandfather. 

Algernon Sartoris First Lieutenant. .General Grant. 

Jay Cooke, 3d Captain Jay Cooke. 

C. E. McJIichael Major Clayton McMichael. 

NEPHEWS. 

Name. Rank. Uncle. 

George S. Hobart Major The Vice-President. 

W. B. Allison Captain Senator Allison. 

Stephen Gambrill, Jr Captain Senator Gorman. 

SON-in-LAW. 

Name. Rank. Father-in-law. 

Beverley A. Read Captain Senator Money. 

CHILDREN OP THE SOCIAL PULL. 

Name. Rank. 

Larz Anderson Captain. 

William A. Harper Captain. 

Wm. Astor Chanler Captain. 

John Jacob Astor Lieut. -Colonel 

Morton J. Henry Captain. 

G. Creighton Webb Major. 

EX-GOVERNOR. 

John G. Evans Captain. 

OFFICERS OP EXPERIENCE IN THE ABOVE LIST. 

Seth M. Milliken, graduate of West Point ; P. Bradlee Strong, J. J. Astor, and 
George Hobart, militia officers. No others. 



188 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Mr. A. C. Gra}^, mentioned above, declined the 
appointment. Mr. Kichard Harding Davis, the nov- 
elist, was also appointed on some general's staff or 
to the quartermaster's department, and learning it 
would interfere with his engagement as newspaper 
correspondent, declined. 

To men who volunteer to fight for their country- 
there is generally accorded as the last right of 
citizenship which they can exercise while a soldier 
that to elect their company officers ; but even this 
was in some instances denied, and officers who were 
strangers placed over them. The commissioned 
officers of regiments were often deprived the right to 
select their regimental officers, these favors being 
doled out in payment of political debts. 

Mr. Poultney Bigelow, a waiter of world-wide rep- 
utation, gave Dewey raps at the administration for 
incompetency and jobbery. Mr. Bigelow was a 
traveler and journalist, well acquainted with the 
armies of England, Kussia, Germany, and Austria. 
Writing for Harper's Weekly from Tampa, he said : 
"In no army in Europe, not even in Spain," had he 
seen " troops so badly treated through the incom- 
petency of staff officers, who to-day are strutting 
about in new uniforms when they ought to be 
whistled out of camp as frauds." 

In the New York Herald of June 9th he adds : 

"The camp at Tampa is a disgraceful evidence 
either of political jobbery or of equally gross incom- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. J 89 

petence. If this were in Spain we sbould say that 
a secretary of war willing to accept the responsibility 
for locating troops at Tampa must be either corrupt 
or unfit for office. 

"I have accused the army administration of serious 
incompetence, if not political jobbery, and I cheer- 
fully renew this charge, because it is well founded 
and because it is not too late to undo much of the 
mischief that has been done. 

" Can you ask more evidence of political jobbery 
than that, with the whole of Florida to choose from, 
our secretary of war should have insisted upon 
locating our main army of invasion at a point whei'e 
only one line of railway could furnish the supplies, 
where that one line of railway owned a virtual mon- 
opoly of all transportation, and where the govern- 
ment pays two cents a gallon for water consumed ? 

" Close to Tampa are camping-grounds where the 
men would have had abundant water supply, and 
where two com23eting roads would have greatly 
facilitated the commissary question. Why did not 
the War Department choose such a place ? Why 
did the secretary of war treat as an impertinence 
any reference to the bad state of things at Tampa 'i 
AVhy are all regular army officers outspoken on this 
subject when they are talking to a friend, and why 
are they afraid to be quoted ? 

" The reason is that they all feel that some one at 
the head has a political or pecuniary interest in per- 



190 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

petuating things as they are, aud that officers are 
not thanked for telling the truth. 

" What our men need now is not camp hardships, 
but such a storing up of vitality as will enable them 
to withstand the privations that will come when the 
real fighting commences. 

"Our men are not the better for bad food, for 
pork and beans as an exclusive tropical diet. They 
are now losing rather than storing up vitality. 
Tampa is so hot and devitalizing that the men are 
not able to do a day's field work, and without con- 
stant practice of this kind they will be lacking in 
one of the essential qualities of a modern soldier. 

"Just think for a moment of a general talking of 
an army in perfect condition when not a regiment 
has wagons for the transport of its necessary bag- 
gage! Just think of a 'perfect army' with half the 
men raw recruits ! Think of a ' perfect army ' going 
into the hottest country on earth with the same 
clothes they would wear at Klondike. And finally, 
think of a ' perfect army ' lumbered up with a lot of 
boy colonels and captains of cracker-boxes ! 

"The whole thing would be funny if brave men 
were not the victims of this scandalous state of 
things. 

" The army has been made a means of political 
jobbery to an extent undreamed of even at the be- 
ginning of the Civil War. The president is too 
weak to check an appointment, no matter how scan- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 191 

dalous. Every regular soldier blushed at the thought 
of epaulets upon Russell Harrison, and a whole lot 
of the same stripe." 

Efforts were made by friends of the administra- 
tion to answer Mr. Bigelow, but they were in vain. 
Mr. Bigelow was even threatened, but he was as 
fearless as he was honest, and continued to denounce 
the efforts of men to pay the first mortgage bonds of 
their political debts and secure a new loan on a re- 
election two years later at the expense of the comfort, 
health, and even lives of the brave men who so loved 
their country that they were willing to sacrifice home 
comfort and peace for starvation, disease, and 
death." 

Nothing but the intense loyalty of the American 
volunteer made the war a success. Like the veter- 
ans under Napoleon they grumbled at hardships, 
but went on ever, and asked only to meet the foe. 
They saw the staff officers in gaudy uniforms strut 
past them every day — they murmured, but were not 
mutinous. 

At Tampa a whole regiment without food or 
water was left for days on the cars side-tracked. No 
European country has men who love their country 
sufficiently to endure such ills. An English, French, 
German, or Russian army would have mutinied be- 
fore enduring a w^eek of such torture. 

The Americans bore their ill-treatment with 
cheerful good humor. 



193 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The following, purporting to come from the diary 
of Private J. Jones, whether true or not, illustrates 
the philosophical humor of the Yankee private: 

EXTRACTS FROM DIARY OF PRIVATE J. JONES, CO. , 

SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUN- 
TEERS : 

Thursday, May 12. — Found out at morning mess 
we were oi'dered to the front. Couldn't eat; too 
excited. Telegraphed to mother. This is great. 
Mother got here at noon. Everybody in camp is 
cheering the Seventy-first. Wow ! I feel awful bad 
about mother. (Tear marks on the diary here. God 
bless the boy.) 

Just struck our tents. We march. Everybody 
is cheering. I saw mother in the crowd. I'm glad 
it's all over. She cried a whole lot. Lottie is going 
to write every day. 

9 p. M. — Just got in Long Island City. Every- 
body hungry. Met mother again, and said farewell 
once more. Didn't see anything of Lottie. Wonder 
when we will move. Heard they were shaking dice 
in Washington to see whether we'd walk or swim. 
I need a shave. 

Midnight. — Can't sleep. Boys are all swearing. 
AVar is hell. Nobody seems to know what we are 
going to do. Have been hustling baggage all over 
Long Island City Station. Sneaked a bottle of beer, 
and somebody found it. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN- 193 

Friday, May 13. — Unlucky combination to start 
on — Friday, 13. We are aboard City of Washing- 
ton, and sail for Tampa this afternoon. Have not 
slept all night. Saw mother a few minutes ago in 
a little boat. I wish she would stay home. I'm 
getting homesick the ofteuer I see her. Looked for 
Lottie, but she didn't show up. Had pork and 
beans and hardtack for breakfast; also coffee; couldn't 
drink the coffee. 

2 p. M. — Wonder why we don't start. Mother has 
been on that little boat all day. Had more pork and 
beans at noon. Will have more to-niirht. Heard 
captain say we are going to Chickamauga on a train. 
Any way to get started. 

8 p. M. — We start on train to-morrow. Got a let- 
ter from mother. My heart feels like a lump of lead. 
Have to sleep on boards in a cubby-hole. Men are 
all swearing. 

Saturday, May 14. — Didn't sleep at all. Tossed 
and rolled all night. Ship smells bad. Everybody 
needs a shave. Had pork and beans and hardtack 
for breakfast ; also coffee. Drank the coffee. Heaved 
the beans and pork overboard. 

Noon. — Just started for Jersey City. Here we 
are to take trains at once. 

4 p. M. — Jersey City. Aboard train. Just said 
good-by to mother. Lottie was here and brought a 
cake. Mother brought some bread and jam. Ate 
for first time since left camp. Waiting for train to 



194 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

start. Hear we are to be on road three days. Offi- 
cers go in sleepers; we don't. This is the real 
stuff. 

6 p. M. — Said good-by to mother again. Thought 
she had gone home. Everybody homesick and tired. 
Folks all wept over us again. Wish train would 
pull out. 

(After this entry John Jones lost his diary.) 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 195 



CHAPTER VIII. 

EEINFOECEMENTS SENT TO DEWEY GERMAN y's 

STRANGE PROTESTS PRESIDENT'S SECOND CALL 

FOR 75,000 MEN BLOCKADING SANTIAGO HOB- 

SON's daring EXPLOIT — GALLANT DEFENSE AT 
GUANTANAMO BY COLONEL HUNTINGTOn's MA- 
RINES. 

The occupation of Manila harbor and tbreatened 
occu23ation of the Philippine Islands was almost 
from the very first attended by unlooked-for opposi- 
tion. The value of these islands had never before 
been fully appreciated, and it was rather difficult to 
say if Dewey had found a gold mine or a volcano. 
The Philip2^ines lie southeast of the continent of 
Asia, in a direct line between Australia and the 
island of Formosa, on the Chinese coast, some 1,200 
miles from the former, but coming within 200 miles 
of the latter. The position these islands occupy on 
the map make them the key to the Pacific trade, and 
while the United States had never given them a 
thought, it seems that nearly every nation in Europe 
had long envied Spain tliose rare possessions. The 
great commerce of the Pacific had at last begun to 



190 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

open up, and tlie world w^as loolcing to the trade of 
China and Japan. 

Scarce had the echoes of Dewey's victorious guns 
ceased to reverberate over the V)ay of Manila when 
European nations began to inquire what would be 
done with the Phili[)pines. In some way it became 
rumored that it was the intention of the United 
States to present the Philippines to Great Britain. 
There was a general protest of nations, and most 
especially by Germany. 

"When Dewey threatened to bombard the city he 
was met by a strong protest from the German consul 
in Manila. He immediately asked for reinforce- 
ments, and while Germany professed neutrality there 
were many acts on the part of the government and 
its officers which seemed to belie their words. The 
German war vessels in the harbor were reinforced, 
and a captain of one ship, while on shore attending 
a Spanish picnic, is reported as saying that so long 
as Emperor William was on the throne he would 
never permit the American flag to float over the 
Philippines. 

The American people, becoming incensed at 
these impertinent and injudicious remarks, began to 
demand that the Philipf)ines be held. Even the 
strongest opponents to the acquisition of outside 
territory demanded their retention at any cost. 

Reinforcements for Dewey were assembled at San 
Francisco, and on May 18th the United States cruiser 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 10 7 

Charleston sailed from San Francisco for Manila, 
but owing to some damage to her machinery was 
compelled to return. On the 21st, having repaired 
her damages, the Charleston again sailed from San 
Francisco for Manila. On the 30th of the same 
month General Wesley Merritt reached San Fran- 
cisco, and assumed command of the Philippine 
expedition. 

The AVar Department soon ascertained that more 
soldiers would be required than were first calculated 
upon. There was disappointment felt in recruiting 
up the regular army. The most intelligent soldiers 
are in the volunteer service, and their recruiting is 
not so difficult even if the volunteers suffer more 
hardships. When the War Department began to 
estimate that from 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers would 
be required at the Philippines, 100,000 in Cuba, 
and perhaps 40,000 in Porto Rico, with a possible 
invasion of Spain, it was seen there were not enough 
troops, and on May 25th the president issued a second 
call for 75,000 men. On the same day three troop 
ships with 2,500 men sailed from San Francisco for 
the Philippines. 

On the 11th of the month the Spanish cabinet 
resigned, and another was formed which, according 
to Senor Moret, the Minister for the Colonies, would 
be in the direction of a more active war policy. On 
the 29th Commodore Schley of the flying squadron 
reported that there could be no doubt that the Cape 



198 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Verde Fleet was in Santiago harbor wliicli he was 
blockading. 

On the 31st of May the commodore ordered the 
Marblehead to nin close under the guns of Morro, to 
reach the entrance to the narrow and tortuous 
channel, and to see as far as possible into the bay in 
order to ascertain the location of the enemy's 
fleet. 

The Marblehead obeyed orders, and even ex- 
ceeded them, for her daring commander, Captain 
McCalla, actually entered the channel mouth. She 
was going at a high rate of speed as she passed 
Morro, and avoided shoal water with great dexter- 
ity. She entered the channel between Morrillo 
Point and the Diamond Bauk, and all on board had 
a clean sweep with their eyes of the bay as far as 
Punta Gorda. What they saw caused every heart 
to beat faster and every man to wish that the time 
had arrived for action, for there in the bay, some 
distance below the city, were four Spanish cruisers 
and two torpedo-boat destroyers. 

The Spaniards had evidently been lulled into a 
sense of security by the absence of any attack, for 
they had dropped a considerable distance down 
toward the channel's mouth. The vessels were lying 
behind the batteries, and the Spaniards had made 
use of the old Reina Mercedes, for she was in their 
midst with guns mounted. She had long since seen 
her fighting days, but had been placed in front of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 199 

the fleet, evidently to be used as a means of defense 
as long as she would last. 

The bay presented a beautiful sight, being calm 
and unruffled amid the towering hills which surround 
it. The Marblehead lost no time in running out of 
the channel and at full speed again passed Morro, 
and reached the Brooklyn, the flagship of Commo- 
dore Schley, with the news for which he, as well as 
the whole world, had been waiting for many days. 
It was definitely ascertained that the vessels bottled 
up were the flagship of the Spanish admiral, the 
Cristobal Colon, the Almirante Oquendo, the Vizcaya 
and the Maria Teresa, in addition to the torpedo- 
boat destroyers Furor and Pluton. 

Having made this discovery Schley's first move 
was to attempt to draw the fire of the fortifications, 
and subsequently to enter the bay and engage the 
fleet which had led both him and Sampson such a 
chase. He also wished to discover the positions of 
the masked batteries, which he knew had been con- 
structed near the channel's mouth. This decision 
upon his part resulted in a bombardment. 

When the action began the Texas, Brooklyn and 
the smaller vessels lay two miles away. The Massa- 
chusetts, New Orleans and Iowa began the attack. 
Commodore Schley having transferred his flag to 
the battleship bearing the Bay State's name. The 
rejoicing on the big ship Avhen the commander came 
on board was great, every man showing his eager- 



200 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN". 

ness to be in the figlit, and although under high 
tension, was cool and collected. As the Iowa, 
Massachusetts and New Orleans moved upon the 
fortifications they stood well off shore from the walls 
of Morro, which concealed the heavy guns, the fire 
from which it was sought to draw. 

When opposite the channel entrance the Cristobal 
Colon was discovered near. The huge Massachusetts 
at once trained her guns upon the Spaniards and 
sent a shell hurling through the air in her direction. 
She was lying broadside, and the Massachusetts used 
her forward-eight inch gun on the port side for the first 
shot, following with her thirteen-inch rifies. The con- 
cussion as the latter were discharged caused the 
waters to vibrate and the shijjs to tremble. 

The Cristobal Colon and four batteries, two on 
the east side of the entrance, one on the west side 
and one in the center of the channel about half a 
mile north of the Morro, replied to the American fire. 

The batteries used ten and twelve-inch Krupp guns, 
while the American warships fired from their thir- 
teen, twelve, eight and six-inch guns, the fire on both 
sides being well sustained. 

Although the firing was brisk at first, it was 
somewhat poor upon both sides. Soon, however, 
the American gunners got down to work with a 
vim, and as shell and shot wliistled through the air 
there could be seen a cloud of dust rising from the 
forts and the air became full of the flying debris. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 2UJ 

The maneuvers of the American warships were 
beautiful and filled the breasts of officers and men 
with great admiration. Twice did the American 
vessels swing proudly past the channel, and each 
time there was a deadly fire trained npon Morro, 
which stood guard, towering and ancient. Great 
rents began to show iu its walls, and the hurliug sky- 
waid of stone and mortar seemed to complete the 
destruction. The old structure reminded one of 
feudal times, and as each shell struck, it was for a 
moment enveloped in smoke, which, as it rolled 
away, revealed the gaping wound it left. AVhile 
Morro was suffering the lower batteries fared no 
better. The fire upon them was equally as de- 
structive. 

At one stage of the engagement there was a sur- 
prise in store for the Americans. The Spanish gun- 
ners suddenly displayed an accuracy of aim which 
was dangerous. Three shells burst over tlie Iowa 
as Captain Evans was standing on the bridge, and 
three more fell into the water close to the New 
Orleans, churning the waves and sending great 
spurts high into the air. The Massachusetts at this 
time was in danger, as a shell from the enemy fell 
close to her, and Commodore Schley came to the 
conclusion that either Spanish marksmanship had 
been underrated or there had been an importation 
of gunners from some foreign port not Spanish. 

In thirty minutes three of the Spanish batteries 



202 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Lad been silenced. The Cristobal Colon Lad 
retreated, and attempted to reply from beLind a 
strip of Leadland, but Ler effort was as weak as it 
was Larmless. TLe wLole affair was over in one 
Lour. 

Commodore ScLley at once returned to tLe 
Brooklyn after tbe signal to cease firing Lad been 
displayed. No American sLip was damaged and 
not one American marine wounded. 

TLe SpanisL vessel Cristobal Colon, wLicL ran 
down to tlie cLannels moutL and aided tLe sLore 
batteries was tLe flagsLip of Admiral Cervera, tLe 
commander of tLe SpanisL fleet. TLere were fifty 
sLots fired by tLe American vessels, and tLe SpanisL 
forts and warsLips fired 100. TLe Cristobal Colon 
sousLt sLelter as soon as sLe became a mark for 
tLe fire from tLe American sLips. 

After seeking tLe protection of a jutting Lead- 
land tLe Cristobal Colon continued to fire projectiles 
over tLe Lills toward tLe fleet, but tLe S23anisL 
gunners Lad no range and tLe sLells fell Larmless 
into tLe sea. 

Admiral Sampson, wLo witL Lis fleet Lad been 
bunting for Cervera in tLe waters of tLe West 
Indies, joined ScLley's blockading squadron and tLe 
combined fleet continued to bombard tLe forts on 
tLe outer Larbor, but owing to tLe peculiar formation 
of tLe Larbor, and tLe fact tLat it was mined, tLe 
American fleet dared not enter it. TLe SpanisL 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 203 

gunners answered shot for shot, but owing 
to the range no damage was done to the 
ships. On June 3d one of the most daring 
feats known to modern naval history was performed 
by Richmond P. Hobson, assistant naval constructor; 
Daniel Montague, chief master at arms; George 
Charette, gunner's mate ; J. C. Murphy, Osborn Deig- 
nan, Randolph Clausen, coxswains ; George F. 
Phillips, machinist, and Francis Kelly, water tender. 
The practical judgment of both Schley and Samp- 
son convinced them that Santiao;o could not be 
taken by the fleet alone. The resources of the 
island were too great, and the harbor too secure. As 
has been said, an army of invasion had been mobiliz- 
ing since April 21st, and on the 30th of May troops 
had embarked at Tampa for Santiago. While there 
were from four to six ships bottled up in the harbor, 
from the various reports received of the fleet it was 
supposed that there were more ships outside than 
in. The transports tliat would bring the troops 
over to Cuba would have to be convoyed by the men- 
of-war. Should a large number of the blockading 
ships be drawn away from the harbor to convoy the 
fleet from Tampa or Key West, Cervera's fleet might 
make a bold dash and escape. Sampson determined 
to place an obstruction in the mouth of the harbor 
so that escape would be impossible. For this pur- 
pose he decided on the collier Merrimac, commanded 
by J. M. Miller, and from a host of volunteers chose 



204 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the eiglit men above mentioned, placing the dangerous 
task in the hands of Mr. Hobson. 

The Merrimac had eight ten-inch improvised tor- 
pedoes below the water line on the port side. They 
were placed on her side against the bulkheads and 
vital spots, connected with each other by a mine 
under tLe ship's keel. Each torpedo contained 
eighty-two pounds of gunpowder, and connected 
with tlie bridge, and every arrangement made under 
orders of Hobson so they could do their work in a 
minute. 

The Merrimac had 7,000 tons buoyancy and about 
ten-knots speed. 

Early on the morning of June 3d the ships began 
bombarding the forts, and Hobson and his compan- 
ions started for the narrow channel at full speed 
amid the storm of iron hail from the Spanish forts. 
He stood on the bridge. There were four men on 
the deck beside himself and two more in the engine- 
room. All were in their underclothing, with 
revolvers and ammunition in water-tight packing 
strapped around their waists. One man was on the 
forward deck, with a line around his waist, one end 
of which was made fast to the bridge where Hobson 
stood. This man had an ax by his side. 

Spanish shells rendered the torpedoes of the Mer- 
rimac unnecessary, and she was sinking when the 
mines that were to destroy her were exploded. The 
ship sank, and a pitiless rain of iron hail fell about 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 205 

Hobson and his brave men. The men wanted to 
leap overboard, but he persuaded them to remain 
on the deck all .night, though the water came up to 
their chins. At early dawn they surrendered to 
Cervera himself. 

Cervera was so impressed with their daring act 
that he sent a flag of truce to Sampson in which he 
praised their bravery. His communication to Samp- 
son concluded with : 

" Your boys will be all right in our hands. Dar- 
ing like theirs makes a bitterest enemy proud that 
his fellow-men can be such heroes." 

Efforts were made for an immediate exchanire and 
release of Hobson, but without avail. For awhile 
they were kept in Moiro Castle, where they were 
exjiosed to the bombarding of their own fleet, but 
the Spanish officers at last removed them to Santiago 
out of danger. 

On Friday, June 10th, the American battleships 
and gunboats were busy about Santiago harbor. 
Sampson's terrible fleet, capable of hurling nine and 
a half tons of iron at a single volley, was battering 
down the hills and fortifications. On Saturda}^, 
June 11th, the first real invasion of the island by an 
American land force commenced. 

To Captain Clark, of the battleship Oregon, be- 
longs the honor of accomplishing the first successful 
landing of the war. On that morning forty marines 
from the noted battleship went ashore at Guanta- 



206 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

namo and occupied the left entrance of the bay until 
the troopship Panther arrived with 600 marines 
under Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, which was 
not until three o'clock in the afternoon. 

The harbor of Guantanamo proved an excellent 
basis for land and sea operations. The spacious 
harbor has forty feet of water, and the land ap- 
proaches are not so precipitous as at Santiago de 
Cuba. The low-lying hills would make the transit 
of heavy siege guns comparatively easy and there 
were level roads from there to Santiago, thiit}^- 
three miles distant, where mountain batteries could 
be planted on an eminence commanding the city 
and the Spanish shi^^s. 

Guantanamo had six miles of water harbor, and 
those who had studied the topography of the 
country claimed that the harbor j^resented an ideal 
place for the landing of troops and a base of sup- 
plies. Tlie port town, Caimanera, was four miles 
from the mouth of the bay, while the city of Guan- 
tanamo was fifteen miles distant, connected to 
Caimanera by rail. 

Half an hour after landing. Colonel Huntington's 
marines burned the buildings of the Spanish camp 
and set fire to the miserable little village which 
crouched at the beach under the hilltop of Guanta- 
namo. The silencing of the guns and landing of the 
forces was easily mannged. The Marblehead and 
the Vixen the day before opened fire on the earth- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 207 

works and drove the Spaniards away. A small 
Spanish gunboat came down from Cairaanera to help 
the shore batteries, but retreated after one volley. 

When the marines landed they found muskets, 
rifles, watches, and hammocks scattered about as an 
evidence of hasty departure. The marines swung 
the American flag to the breeze from the Spanish 
flagstaff, and prepared to camp and hold the place, 
while the Oregon steamed back to Santiago Bay, 
leaving the Marblehead, Vixen, and Dolphin to pro- 
tect them. 

But little rest was given the brave marines landed 
at Guantanamo. 

They established what they called Camp McCalla, 
in honor of the captain of the Marblehead, cheered 
loudly when the Stars and Stripes were raised, and 
retired to their tents happy in the thought, they had 
finally invaded the enemy's country. Saturday was 
spent in attending to camp duties, and there was no 
evidence that an attack was to be made upon them 
by the enemy. However, every precaution was 
taken, and sentry duty was not overlooked. 

The day was not to pass without some 
excitement, for at twenty minutes to five in the 
afternoon the sharp crack from three rifles was 
heard. The firing came from some bushes nearby, 
and in an instant the entire camp was aroused. 
When the shots \vere fired the men were scattered 
about the camp. Some of them were bathing in the 



208 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

bay, and others at work inside tlieir tents. Near 
the camp, ho\vever, there had been stationed a force 
of twenty men, under command of Sergeant Smith. 
In the bay, riding at anchor, was the cruiser Marble- 
head, while a short distance from her were the 
Yankee and Porter, the latter a torpedo boat. 

The topography of the country was in favor of 
the Spaniards, who had evidently determined to 
inausfurate an ambuscade warfare, and to cause as 
much deadly execution as possible before being put 
to flight. At the moment the bullets began to fly 
from the bushes and fall about the men in the camp, 
fire was opened by the Spaniards from the foothills 
upon the force commanded by Smith. The latter re- 
turned the fire, and in an instant there was a constant 
ci'acking of firearms, which brought every man in 
the camp to the aid of the Americans who were 
under fire. Every gun was seized and the scene 
demonstrated the eagerness which had been mani- 
fested for a chance to engage the Spaniards on land. 

While the forces of Smith were engaged the men 
under Colonel Huntington poured a deadly volley 
into the bushes, the marines behaving admirably, 
and obeying all orders to the letter. An uimsual 
feature was the presence in the columns of the 
marines of men without a stitch of clothing upon 
tliem, for they had hurriedly left the bay, where 
they had l>een bathing, and snatching up their guns, 
entered the fray along with their comrades. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 208 

At the head of the lagoon a number of Spaniards 
appeared, and were at once greeted with a shower of 
bullets. They retreated to the brush, and again the 
bullets from their rifles flew toward the Yankee 
marines, snapping off twigs in their course, some of 
them striking near the vicinity of the tents. 

While the skirmish was in progress a Cuban 
rushed into camp with the information that Span- 
iards to the number of 200 were along the 
lagoon, and he believed they intended to make a 
charge upon the Americans. His fears were ground- 
less, however, but the Spaniards continued their fire 
after the marines had been formed into line. 

Upon the receipt of the news from the Cuban it 
was resolved to attempt to capture some of the 
Spaniards in the attacking party in the woods. Two 
detachments under Lieutenants Neville and Mahoney 
were sent out with the intention of surroundins: the 
enemy. Lieutenant Neville pushed into the woods 
at the head of his little skirmishing party, while 
Mahoney skirted the lagoon. The latter found noth- 
ing, as the Spaniards had evidently realized that their 
attack was fruitless, and had disappeared. 

Neville, however, discovered the enemy, and 
charged them. They made a futile attempt at re- 
sisting, firing upon the American marines for a mo- 
ment, and then suddenly turned and fled through 
the woods at the top of their speed. 

In this attack four marines were killed and several 



210 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

wounded. As the men killed were shot with 
Mauser rifles, which at short range tear their victims 
fearfully, gave rise to the erroneous story that the 
Spaniards mutilated the dead. 

When night came Colonel Huntington still held 
his ground, and the enemy had apparently retired, 
but the guerrillas returned again, and every few 
moments the Mauser rifles of the Spaniards, which 
were of longer range than the Americans, cracked, and 
sent bullets flying into the caraj). 

Sunday brought no rest. Every little while the 
p-a-a-t! of a Mauser would be heard, and a sjiatter 
of dust on the camp hillside showed where the bullet 
struck, or the singing of the bullet above caused an 
involuntary ducking of the head. 

"When night came things changed. The Spanish 
forces were greatly augmented, and in the dark 
bolder in their attacks. By eight o'clock they began 
firing volleys. Some of them crept to the very edge 
of the brush, not more than thii'ty yards from the 
hill behind which Fort McCalla is sheltered. 

With a small squad of men Lieutenant Neville 
was sent to dislodge the advance pickets of the 
enemy. 

The Spaniards fled, discharging their rifles as fast 
as they could empty the magazines, but evidently 
took little aim. 

The marines passed on along the edge of the tim- 
ber, ^nd upon the side of the precipice rieur the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 211 

coast, from which point a spattering fire had been 
kept up all day, and where a small stone house, 
^^ hich the Spaniards used as a fort, had previously 
been located. 

As the Americans pressed along the edge of the 
steep, following a blind trail, they nearly fell into 
an ambush. There was a sudden firing from all 
directions, a great yelling, and the charge of a numer- 
ous body. Sergeant-Major Henry Goode was shot 
through the right breast and soon died. The Ameri- 
cans were forced back upon the edge of the preci- 
pice, and an effort made to rush them over. Private 
Tanman was wounded just as he was clambering 
over the top of the cliff, and fell on the rocks below, 
the fall killing him. 

Private Wallace slipped and fell, badly breaking 
one leg, but he dragged himself up and continued to 
fight. 

Private Koxbury was wounded in the arm, but 
stood his ground, and shot from a rest when he found 
the wounded member would not support his car- 
bine. 

Private Martin got a bullet in his left ]eg, but he, 
too, fought on, encouraging those nearest him not to 
give way. 

Once the Americans recovered from the first 
shock and got shelter in the breaks of the cliff, their 
fire was deadly. Spaniard after Spaniard went, 
do\yn before them, 



212 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The rush was checked almost as suddenly as it 
had begun, and. the Spaniards fell back, carrying 
their dead and wounded toward the stone house. 

During all this time the fort had not been having 
a quiet time. The Spaniards had pressed up again 
and made a charge in force. But six fieldpieces 
were brought to bear on them, and they fled without 
doing any damage. They came up from another 
direction, however, and were driven away again. 

And here the camp nairowly missed one of the 
pitiful horrors of war. After the Spaniards had 
run and the tired marines had ceased to fire, the 
Marldehead got the idea that the camp had been 
carried by assault. So the cruiser began to shell the 
place. Til ere was consternation at this, the devoted 
marines liardly knowing what to make of the new 
menace. There was a quick signaling to the cruiser, 
and, fortunately, no one was injured. 

In one of the dashes, the Cuban insurgents in the 
camp fired wildly, and their bullets fell among the 
tents. There was some lively running before the 
wild-eyed Cubans were got into order. The Span- 
iai'ds brought over some of tlieir force from Santiago, 
and train loads of regulars were coming down from 
Guantanamo to a point back of the station at 
Caiman era. 

It became necessary to change the position of the 
camp to a less exposed station, for the men were 
wearied with their constant work on the fortifica- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 2J3 

tions, moving tLe baggage and artillery, or driving 
out the continually menacing enemy. 

The work of transferring the camp was accom- 
plished under the greatest difficulties, and at night 
the marines were located in a spot where they would 
not furnish such fine targets for the Spaniards. 

Throughout the day shells and shrapnel crashed 
and steel bullets whistled all round the camp, while 
at intervals there were thundering roars from the 
guns of the Marblehead and Texas out in the bay, as 
they poured their fire into the chaparral. The hill- 
side howitzers barked away, and the scene was 
picturesque, grand and awful. 

The warships shelled the chaparral, while the six 
fieldpieces and the two Colt machine guns blazed 
away at anything that indicated the massing of the 
enemy. Then a long file of men went down into the 
brush and beat it as Indian coolies beat the jungle 
for wild beasts. No man was seen, but occasionally 
there was a long shot from the mountain at the 
back of the ravine, which was the limit of the 
beaters' detail. 

An effort was made to burn the woods. Fire was 
started in numerous places, but it would not run 
far, and the attempt had to be abandoned. Suddenly 
a party of Spaniards came out on the far side of the 
lagoon to the east of the camp and began firing on 
the dispatch boat Simpson. No man was hit, how- 
ever, and when the Texas sent an order to the 



214 HISTORY OP TtlE War with St'AlN. 

Aberenda to throw a few sliots at the Spaniards, 
they took to their heels and later opened fire from 
the ravine as they retreated, w^hen the howitzers 
sent them flying among the hills. Then there was 
firing from another clump of woods, and the machine 
guns swept this. 

During the day the services for the dead were 
held. Sergeant Smith's body had not been recovered. 
Lieutenant Neville's men went to look for it, but 
had to fight their way out of an ambuscade, and 
so abandoned the search. 

The scene of the funeral of Dr. Gibbs and 
Privates McColgan and Dunphy was impressive. 
The bodies of the dead marines were wrapped in 
black oilskins, which were taken from their tents. 
The graves were dug on the edge of a hill over- 
looking the bay, to the northward of the camp. 
All the marines could not attend the funeral, but all 
who could do so followed the stumbling bearers of 
the dead over the loose gravel and grouped them- 
selves about the graves. The stretcher bearing the 
bodies had just been lifted to its place, and Chaplain 
Jones of the Texas was about to begin the reading 
of the burial service when the Spaniards began 
shooting at the party from the western chaparral. 

" Fall in, Company A, Company B, Company C ! 
Fall in ! Fall in !" was the word from one end of 
the camp to the other. 

The graves were deserted by all save the chaplain 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 2lS 

and escort, who stood still, unmoved. The men 
sprang to arms, and placed themselves behind the 
rolled tents and knapsacks, the bushes in the 
hollows, boxes and piles of stones, their rifles ready, 
and their eyes strained into the brush. 

The little Colts began spitting, the howitzers 
roared, battle smoke arose where the shells struck 
and burst in the chaparral, and rifles snapped 
angrily. 

As the men caught sight of the place whence 
the enemy's bullets came there was trouble for the 
Spaniards in that stretch of chaparral. 

The Texas fired seven shots at the place whence 
the shooting came, and the Spaniards retreated. 

The funeral services had hardly been resumed 
when there was another attack; but this time the 
men in the pits near the old blockhouse got the 
range of the malignant marksmen, and scattered them 
with a few shots. The Texas again shelled the 
brush to the eastward, but the chaplain kept right 
on with the service, and from that time until night 
there was little shooting from the cover. 

Later the flags were again half-masted, and Ser- 
geant-Major Goode was buried a few feet from the 
place where he fell, his grave being marked by a 
rough cairn. 

After two nights' hard fighting the American 
flag still floated on Cuban soil over the encamp- 
ment of the marine battalion, who swore to keep it 



216 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

there until tbe belated troops arrived, if it took till 
winter. 

On the third night after landing the Dolphin 
located the Spanish water station, on the ocean side 
of the harbor entrance, which supplied the water for 
the attacking force. The well was situated in a 
blockhouse windmill, having a small garrison. It 
was shelled at 1,000 yards, the station was wrecked, 
and canister followed the retreating Spaniards up 
the steep ravine. Each shell disclosed the spot 
where it alighted by raising a cloud of dust. 

The marines had had the best of the fighting, but 
the situation w^as grave, as they were exhausted with 
repelling almost incessant attacks. They had little 
chance to rest or sleep, and the time of the arrival of 
relieving troops was uncertain. But for the guns 
of the fleet the gallant little band would have been 
annihilated by the Spanish troops. 

What at first, with the white tents on a bold emi- 
nence against the tropic background, looked like a 
holiday camp, became a grim reality. The tents 
were struck and rolled into breastworks, supple- 
mented by trenches around the crest of the hill. 
The spot was lamentably exposed, being surrounded 
by heavy brush. The least movement in the camp 
was the signal for instant target practice upon the 
part of the Spanish sharpshooters, whose rifles were 
of Ion 2: rano-e. 

It was impossible to accurately estimate the Span- 



' iBM|IW ai N | gl i |l | »r ' 




HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 217 

ish attacking force. About two-thirds of the force 
surrounded the camp nightly with a deadly ring, and 
the spatting of the Mausers made things quite lively, 
for the Spaniards were daring enough to crawl up 
and take a shot at the marines from the bushes about 
thirty yards from the camp. At night the besiegers 
fought like Indians, and every yard of chaparral was 
an ambuscade, while picket duty was like flipping 
coins with death 



218 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE IITVADING ARMY UNDER GENERAL SHAFTER 

THE VOYAGE LANDING OF TROOPS. 

While the brave marines under Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Huntington, aided by a few Cubans, were fighting 
an enemy ten times their number, and Admiral 
Sampson was chafing at the delay of the arrival of 
land forces, the most inexcusable delay at Tampa 
was detaining the invading army. The soldiers, 
crowded on transports like cattle, exposed to the 
summer heat of the tropics, rocked idly in the bay. 
Fears of Spanish warships were the excuse, for a 
portion of Cervera's fleet could not be accounted for. 
The naval authorities were long in doubt as to the 
fleet of Cervera being in the harbor of Santiago, un- 
til Lieutenant Victor Blue of the Suwanee, attached 
to Admiral Sampson's squadron, went ashore and, 
piloted over the mountains and the forests by 
Cubans, reached a point from which he had an ex- 
cellent view of the harbor, and could see the ships 
within it, and so reported to the department 

As early as May 28th some of the transports were 
loaded with troops and ready for the invasion. The 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 219 

fleet even sailed, and then put back from some rumor 
of Spanish vessels. 

It was June 15th before the fleet sailed. The 
army of invasion under General Shafter numbered 
15,337 men and officers on the following transports: 
Miami, Santiago, Gussie, Cherokee, Seneca, Coma, 
Yucatan, Berkshire, Whitney, Segurancia, Knicker- 
bocker, Concho, City of Washington, Alleghany, San 
Marcels, Decatur, Saratoga, Leona, Rio Grande, Vig- 
ilancia, Orizaba, Iroquois, Mattewan, Arkansas, Break- 
water, Morgan, and Clinton. 

The army of invasion left Egmont Key at noon 
on Tuesday, June 14th, convoyed by the United 
States warships Indiana, Castine, Helena, Annapolis, 
Bancroft, Morrill, and Hornet. The passage was 
necessarily slow, as two big water barges, and the 
schooner Stevens, also used for water, had to be 
towed. At Rebecca Shoals lighthouse the fleet was 
joined by the United States warships Detroit, Man- 
ning, Osceola, Wasp, and Ericsson. 

When the transport fleet left Port Tampa it was 
the intention of those in authority to take the west- 
ern course, around Cape Antonio, but later it was 
decided to go via the Florida Straits, that being a 
shorter distance. After the fleet got into the rough 
waters of the straits the transports were formed into 
three lines, about 1,000 yards apart, while 600 yards 
separated the ships. The easily advancing trans- 
ports presented a very impressive spectacle, stretch- 



230 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

ing for miles over the blue waters. It was one of 
the largest fleets ever gathered together, the grim- 
looking men-of-war hovering like watchdogs on the 
outskirts of the human-freighted ships. 

At night every precaution was taken to guard 
against any possible attack. No lights were allowed 
on the transports, and the gunboats in the direction 
of the shore were doubled in number, while at fre- 
quent intervals shifting searchlights swept the waters 
in the direction of Cuba in search of hostile vessels. 
Throughout the voyage not one Spanish gunboat or 
sign of the enemy was seen. 

On Friday the convoying fleet of warships was 
reinforced by the Montgomery and Porter off Puerto 
Principe. 

The voyage throughout was tedious and uninter- 
esting. To the weary soldier life on board trans- 
ports is as unwarlike as a journey on a fruiter. 

The spectacle of transferring the sick at sea was 
presented on Saturday. For four hours the fleet 
lay-to while the ships' boats carried fourteen patients 
to the hospital ship Olivette. In the rough water of 
the Bahama Channel this work for the little boats 
was quite difficult, and the hoisting of the limp 
forms to the rolling deck of the Olivette seemed 
dangerous, but it was accomplished in safety. 

The weather throughout the voyage was excellent, 
and consequently there was little suffering from sea- 
sickness. Fourteen cases of typhoid fever and some 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 231 

measles developed, the former being especially on 
the boats which carried horses and mules. 

After a voyage of six days they first sighted land 
in the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, and when the 
topmasts of the blockading squadron were sighted 
they sent wild cheers from the crowded decks, which 
brought smiles of joy to even the pale, anxious faces 
of the sick soldiers who were facing disease, danger, 
and death for their country. 

At noon on Monday, June 20th, the transports, 
led by the grim Indiana, with her bristling guns, 
arrived off the harbor to the thunder of the salutes 
from the New York, the flagship of the American 
admiral, and the entire fleet came to anchor in full 
view of Morro Castle. 

As soon as the vessels were at anchor General 
Shafter and Admiral Sampson held a consultation 
in regard to landing the troops. After discussing 
numerous places for the purpose, Baiquiri, seventeen 
miles east of Santiago, was selected. In order to 
mislead the Spaniards Sampson's fleet made a furious 
bombardment on Cabanas and other fortifications 
to the west of Santiago harbor, which caused the 
enemy to send their strongest bodies of troops to 
that point; then the transports suddenly slipped 
away forty miles to the east and dropped into 
Baiquiri harbor, where they prepared to land. 

Just before landing was made the soldiei-s on the 
transports were treated to a little bombardment by 



222 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the warships. High up on a cliff west of Baiqniri 
was a Spanish fort, and close to it a blockhouse. 
These, of course, were to be reckoned with when it 
came to the question of landing troops, and the 
easiest way to get thera out of the way was to destroy 
them. Accordingly the warships began to bellow 
and the dirt and the debris to fly. In a short 
time the forts and blockhouse had been reduced, 
and a high hill which stood in the rear bore the 
marks of the shells that had exploded upon it, and 
had torn up the earth all about it. 

During this time other vessels of the fleet contin- 
ued bombarding Aguadores, Cabanas, Siboney, and 
Juraofua, located to the east and to the west of San- 
tiago. The scene was watched with great interest 
by the men on the transports, and the destruction 
which the shells wrought had an inspiring effect 
upon all those who witnessed the bombardment. 

*' Medicine for Cervera's fleet," was the way one of 
the men on a transport expressed it. 

The landing of the first troops was made in small 
boats at a deserted steamship pier. There was the 
liveliest kind of satisfaction manifested when it be- 
came known that the men were to land, and when 
the orders came to them to prepare for the debarka- 
tion, the alacrity which was shown in obeying 
argued well for the future success of the army. All 
were anxious to reach shore and to engage the Span- 
iards m the battle which it was believed was to 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 223 

mark the beginning of the end of the war with 
Spain. 

The men had been chafing under their inactivity, 
and the long rim from the Florida coast had given 
them quite enough of enforced life aboard ship. A 
few gave utterance to their joy when the summons 
came to prepare to land by shouting, but were 
quickly reminded of their task before them and set 
steadily to work to get things in readiness. As the 
small boats were filled and the men pushed off from 
the sides of the vessels, there was little said beyond 
the quiet commands of the oflGlcers. The most per- 
fect order prevailed as the vanguard of the army left 
the ships and were rowed to the landing-]3lace, which 
had finally been selected after careful conferences 
between Admiral Sampson, General Shafter, and 
General Garcia of the Cuban forces. 

While the warships were still belching forth their 
shells and hurling earthquakes at the hills, the first 
American soldiers touched Cuban soil, and were 
greeted by about 1,500 Cubans under General Cas- 
tillo, who had arrived and taken his stand on sliore 
with the men under his command. Castillo's force 
was an effective one, being composed of troops who 
were the heroes of a hundred battles. These com- 
bined efforts prevented the Spaniards from resisting 
the landing, as they had to give their entire time to 
their defenses. The Cubans could scarcely restrain 
their enthusiasm as they participated for the first 



224: HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

time in an engagement with tlieir bated enemy 
together with the American forces. Occasionally 
they cheered for free Cuba, but as often could be 
heard tlieir cries of "Viva los Americanos !" 

During the bombardment of the enemy's works, 
while the landing was being effected, a shell exploded 
on the Texas, killing one and wounding several. 

Time and sea and weather were propitious for the 
army of invasion. The navy and the army co-oper- 
ated splendidly, and as the big warships closed in 
on the shore to pave the way for the approach of the 
transports and then went back again, three cheers 
for the navy went up from ten thousand throats on 
the troopships, and three cheers for the army rose 
from ship after ship as the troopships moved in to 
take their share in the hazardous game. It was war, 
and it was magnificent ! 

The last of General Shafter's soldiers were placed 
on shore, late at night on the 22d of June, and on 
the 23d, siege guns, mules, horses, ammunition and 
other heavy supplies were taken to the pier at 
Baiquiri. 

No doubt the Americans would have met with 
stronger resistance in landing had not the strategy 
of Admiral Sampson completely misled them. 

One Cuban ^vas injured by an explosion of Ameri- 
can shell high up on the hill. 

While the American troops were landing brave 
old General Garcia was reported at the head of an 




o 

a 

02 

s 

O 

H 



IWTO ,. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 335 

army of 6,000 fighting his way to Santiago. 
The American troops were to soon become familiar 
with the roar of firearms and the thunder of cannon. 
From the time they came within hearing of the 
shore it was one continuous thunder of artillery or 
roll of musketry among the hills. The Cubans were 
in better trim than they had ever been and the 
Spaniards might well fear the men they had tyran- 
ized. Adequately armed and plentifully fed by the 
American Commissary Department, they were full 
of confidence and anxious to play a star part in the 
drama of war. 

The Spaniards burned a part of Baiquiri before 
they abandoned it, but neglected to destroy the 
pier, which was the only thing the Americans cared 
for, and one of the reasons for their choosing this 
point to disembark the troops. 

Whatever Spanish garrison there had been in the 
little town the Spaniards must have fired it, and re- 
treated at the first sign of the Americans' approach. 
At dawn on the day of landing, the New Orleans, 
St. Louis, Detroit, AVasp, Tecumseh, and Suwanee 
were within rifle shot of the shore, but no Mauser 
bullets welcomed them. 

The Spanish flag which had been flying the night 
before was gone, and the houses were all ablaze. 
There were three great explosions during the confla- 
gration, indicating that the Spaniards had left be- 
hind a vast quantity of dynamite or gunpowder. 



336 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

General Lawton, as a first precaution, threw out 
a strong detacliment six miles to the westward, on 
the road to Santiago. Another strong body was 
sent to the top of the hills north of the little town. 
As these covered the only possible approaches, the 
rest of the troops were quartered in the little villnge 
The buildings of the iron company accommodated a 
good many. Others found lodgings in deserted huts, 
and a good many set up their tents in the fields and 
bivouacked there. 

Pretty soon some women and children appeared 
on the outskirts of the camp. 

They had run away from the to\vn when the 
Spanish garrison abandoned it, and were in a pitiful 
state of terror at the proximity of the Americans. 

A big Ninth Cavalry fellow made a dash and cap- 
tured one of the children, and sent him back to the 
others with his two little fists full of sugar that he 
had begged from the company cook. 

Some of the officers gave the youngster some coins, 
and within an hour the babies and their mothers 
were everywhere about the village. They explained 
that the Spanish soldiers had told them that it was 
the American custom to kill and scalp everybody 
they could, regardless of age or sex. 

When the women found that they were free to re- 
turn to their homes and safe to remain there, they 
w^ere both delio-hted and astonished. 

Every house was searched by the soldiers, but 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 237 

nothing was taken. Scouting parties beat the thicket 
all around the camp to niake sure there would be no 
Spanish bushwhacking, such as the marines met at 
Caimanera, but nothing hostile was found. 

When our men were landing, the Cubans upon the 
hill, under General Castillo, weie attacking the Span- 
ish and the blockhouse and fort. The warships were 
thundering away for all they worth. 

General Shafter determined to lose no time in 
marching on Santiago. 

The force at Daiquiri was to be advanced immedi- 
ately. Already the engineers were sent out to bridge 
the gulleys and prepare a roadway for the passage 
of the siege guns and artillery. They were to move 
without waiting for the reinforcements from the 
states, and camp on the plateau where the wrecked 
Spanish fort was. This plateau extends almost to 
Santiago, and could be the roadof the invasion. The 
lines were to be pushed forward carefully, notwith- 
standing the speed. 

General Garcia reported to Shafter and Admiral 
Sampson that his spies in Santiago had notified him 
that Cervera's fleet had moved from its old position, 
and was further up in the channel. Tlie new posi- 
tion gave them better control of the narrowest point 
in the channel, and also made it more difficult for 
the American fleet to attack them. A large number 
of guns had been mounted on the west battery facing 
the sea. These were supposed to have been taken 



228 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

from Cervera's sbips, a!id were an indication tliat he 
would fight, if he fought at all, right where his ships 
were lying. 

The last day of the landing, June 23d, General 
Shafter took up his temporary headquarters in tlie 
abandoned offices of the iron company, wliich did 
business there before the war, and which constructed 
the pier that was of so much assistance in the land- 
, ing of troops. On the night before General Lawton, 
I who superintended the debarkation, sent the Ninth 
Infantry out on the road to Santiago, and the Twenty- 
first Infantry was stationed on the hills to the north 
to act, with Castillo's Cubans, as guards. They were 
relieved by the Second and Ninth Infantry next 
morning, and the Twenty-fourth w'as stationed five 
miles out on the Juragua road. 

The second day of the landing was a busy time. 
The troops had been allowed to rest as much as pos- 
sible, but many of them had had to assist in unloading 
the heavy siege guns from the Orizaba transport, as 
well as all the artillery from the Berkshire and 
Comal, a task which required all the engineering 
skill of the corps, but which was accomplished with- 
out accident, and without injury to a single piece of 
ordnance. It was almost as difficult a task to land 
the mules from tlie Gussie, and there were many 
amusing and exciting incidents while the long-eared 
animals were being transferred to shore, but by 
nightfall General Shafter had the satisfaction know- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 229 

ing that all the men, guns, mules, horses, and sup- 
plies that he needed for the assault on Santiago 
were safely on land. 

It was generally thought that the march to Santi- 
ago would commence early next morning, and unless 
there were great obstructions, many hoped to be 
looking down on Cervera's fleet in a few days. An 
attack in force on the part of the Spaniards was not 
expected. Tliey were intrenched in a strong forti- 
fied position, and it was hardly likely they would 
come out into the open to fight. But they expected 
to dispose of scattered bands of guerrillas posted in 
the hills along the route. At Aguadores were forti- 
cations of no little strength, but Sampson had already 
vigorously bombarded them from the sea, and it was 
thought th.ey had been rendered practically ineffec- 
tive. Harder fighting was expected at Aguadores 
than at any place along the road, for several thou- 
sand soldiers had been stationed there to cover that 
approach. 

General Bates, with three regiments, was landed 
at Aserradero at the same time the troops were de- 
barked at Baiquiri, and formed a junction with the 
forces of Garcia and Rabi to march on Santiairo fiom 
the west, and at the same time endeavor to intercept 
the force under General Luqne, said to be marching 
from Holguin to reinforce Linares at Santiago. This 
force of 8,000 men would have to deal first with 
Garcia's pickets stationed to the north of Santia<^o, 



230 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

and in that rough country a few good marksmen 
well placed could rout an army. 

With Sli after on the east, Bates and Garcia on 
the west and north, and Sampson at the front gate, 
Linares and his army and Cerveia and his fleet were 
entirely surrounded, and must surrender or perish. 
How long they could hold out was the only ques- 
tion. It could not be long. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 231 



CHAPTER X. 

THE ADVANCE — ROUGH EIDERS ENTRAPPED — SKIRMISH 
AT LA GUASIMA — DESPERATE CONFLICTS AT SAN 
JUAN HEIGHTS AND EL CANEY A DARING AT- 
TACK AT MANZANILLO. 

General Shafter did not linger at Baiquiri after 
effecting his landing, but began to push out at once. 

After a comparatively pacific prologue the war 
drama began in earnest on June 24th. The hot sun, 
coming up from behind the mountain peaks, lifted 
the curtain of morning mist and revealed the scene 
scattered along a narrow valley, which traces irregu- 
lar paths between Baiquiri and Sevilla, where were 
the camps comprising the advance division under 
General Lawton. Two miles to the rear were the 
tents of the Second Division, marking with a white 
line the road to Demajayabo, where General Wheeler 
had established headquarters during the night. 

General Law ton's headquarters was a cluster of 
half a dozen huts, two miles inland from Altares. 
The little harbor of Altares was crowded with trans- 
ports, launches, and small boats, which had been 
engaged all night in landing troops, and which were 
still at that work. 



232 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The Third Division was clustered about the beach, 
some bathing, others gathering the scattered equip- 
ments, and still others making preparations for 
breakfast. Far to the front could be seen through 
glasses the thin line of Castillo's outposts, who had 
been on duty continuously for two days, their flags 
fluttering in the morning breeze. 

Gradually the sun chased the lingering shadows 
in and out of the ravines and besran to scorch the 
hilltops. Camps were broken, columns of soldiers 
were formed and the advance resumed. Blazing 
blockhouses here and there seemed to indicate that 
the enemy still was in full retreat, hastening to the 
shelter of the intrenchments about Santiao^o. 

Not a single Spaniard could be seen, although 
hundreds of fieldglasses scrutinized every foot of 
ground in a vain effort to penetrate the thickets. 
OflScers and men joked as they marched over the 
retreat of the enemy, doubting whether they ever 
would make a stand and fearins: that General Linares 
would surrender without a fio;ht. 

It was seven o'clock when the Rouo-h Riders 
entered the villas^e of Al tares. After a short halt 
they began the long climb up the steep, narrow trail, 
which affords the only passage to mount Grand 
Mesa, which shuts the city of Santiago from the 
sea. 

By this time the heat of the sun was beginning to 
be felt keenly by the men. Laden with full march- 




o 



o 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 233 

ing equipment they toiled slowly up the rocky paths 
in single file. There was not enough air stirring to 
make a leaf flutter. Along the hillsides several 
halts were necessary befoi-e the men could reach the 
Mesa. A dozen mules carried the reserve ammuni- 
tion and supplies. The beasts were affected by the 
heat also. 

Despite these obstacles, the toilsome ascent finally 
was made, and a refreshing sea breeze brought 
some trifling surcease. Before the Kougb Riders 
stretched for nine miles a comparatively level 
plateau, half a mile in width, dotted with chaparral 
thickets and frequently broken by small ravines. 

At the other extremity rose the battlements of 
ancient Mori-o, situated high on a point commanding 
Santiago Bay. The Mesa is traversed about one 
third of its length by Juraguasito Creek, a narrow, 
lazy stream, which is spanned at the village of 
Juraguasito by a railroad bridge, over which General 
Shafter hoped to send his heavy artillery. 

The view from the hilltop was a splendid one as 
General Lawton's columns moved, slowly winding 
their way along, preceded by the skirmish line, to 
prevent a surprise. The mules were drairirin<>- the 
mountain battery alotig after the Twenty -fifth 
Infantry. A dynamite siege gun had been carried 
by a detail of men as far as the village of Juragua- 
sito, where the men were resting. The Tenth Cavalry 
had dismounted and were climbing the Mesa from 



234 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Altares. The Seventy-first New York had just 
landed and were falling in preparatory to beginning 
the same ascent. 

The sun had set its red face squarely upon the 
Grand Mesa. Even the withered, shriveled chapar- 
ral shrunk under its burning gaze. Fixing their eyes 
upon the Spanish flag — from there a tiny speck of 
yellow fluttering above Morro — the Rough Riders 
manfully shouldered their luggage and marched to- 
ward it. 

It soon became evident that the day would be 
extremely hot. The land breeze died down and the 
first gusts of the sea breeze scarcely moved the 
leaves of the few scattered cocoanut trees along the 
line of march. The column had not proceeded a 
mile before the men began to cast off blankets and 
other articles. 

Men soon began to fall from the ranks and drop 
exhausted under the shade of any convenient bush. 
The ambulance corps, under Dr. La Motte, had its 
hands full attendino- to the numerous cases of heat 
prostration. 

Still no sign of the enemy. The columns labored 
slowly along over the narrow, uneven paths. Sud- 
denly, away over a yellow hillside, tw^o or three 
miles across the valley which parallels the Mesa, a 
puff of white smoke arose, then another, and still 
another, in quick succession. A short distance along 
the ridge, by the time perhaps the tenth puff was 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 23b 

holding the attention of the Rough Riders, the sharp 
crack of Mausers was wafted across the iuterveniuof 

o 

space. 

This was followed by an irregular sputter, as 
Castillo's Cubans replied. The softer, keener music 
of the Krag-Jorgeusens followed, signifying that 
General Lawton's advanced lines were getting a 
touch of the game of battle. 

Troop L, which formed the advance line, scattered, 
quickly sending a return volley in the direction from 
which the Spanish bullets came. 

This fire did not check the enemy, who advanced 
to the attack with great bravery, emptying their 
rifles as they came. Their fire was delivered with 
too great rapidity for accuracy. Most of the bullets 
flew hiojh. The sound of the bullets cuttinix tliroui^h 
the chaparral affected the nerves of the Rough Riders. 
A few men showed signs of panic, but the cool 
demeanor of their officers soon restored confidence, 
and every man settled down to work. Troop L was 
reinforced by Troop G, but still the enemy pressed 
forward. Colonel Wood's men yielded their ground 
slowly. Meanwhile the sound of firing warned the 
troops at the rear that their comrades were engaged. 
A great scramble to get to the front then began. 
Owing to the roughness of the ground it was impos- 
sible to form ranks, and each man rushed forward as 
best he could. They found Troops L and G fight- 
ing desperately, penned in an awkward position, 



236 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

with a wire trocha od one side and a ravine on the 
other. 

While the eyes of the Rongh Kiders were riveted 
on this engagement, from the right a flash came from 
the chaparrel thicket on the Mesa, barely 200 
yards ahead. A score of Mauser bullets w^his- 
tled over the heads of those in the foremost rank. 
This unexpected attack quickly gave the Rough 
Riders an affair of their own to attend to. " It's up 
to us, boys," shouted Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt, 
who was near the head of the column. When 
attacked, the Rough Riders were marching along a 
trail so narrow that they could advance only in single 
file. In this position the fire of the enemy was 
doubly dangerous. 

" Deploy ! Lie down !" Colonel Wood commanded. 

The enemy was temporarily checked, but presently 
outflanked Wood's men, who were forced to fall 
back. They retired slowly, fighting fiercely as they 
went. 

Private Whitney, of Troop L, staggered along, 
bleeding profusely from three wounds. Private 
Islade, supported between tw^o slightly w^ounded 
companions, also made his way to the rear. He had 
continued to fire after he had been struck by three 
bullets, and retired only after a fourth bullet had 
hit him. 

By this time all the Rough Riders had gone into 
the engagement, but they seemed unable to check 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 337 

the enemj's determined advance. Colonel Wood 
sent an orderly to ask for reinforcements. He met 
the Tenth Cavalry, which dismounted hurriedly and 
moved forward, as did the Twenty-second Infantry. 

Casting aside their baggage, men who had a few 
moments before been lying exliausted on the ground 
sprang to their feet, grasped their rifles, and stag- 
gered forward to the aid of their comrades. 

Private " Reggie " Ronalds, well known in New 
York society, had been ovei-come by the heat and 
had sunk to the earth in the shade of a tree. Hear- 
ing the firing, he rose and pressed forward to aid his 
comrades. 

By ten o'clock the enemy had been checked, with 
the assistance of the Tenth and Twenty-second. 

The fighting on the Mesa continued furiously for 
an hour in the burning sun. The men had no water 
in their canteens, and the throats of the ofiicers be- 
came so parched that they could only whisper their 
commands. Rifles became almost too hot to hold. 
Many men took out their canteens to give the dearly- 
prized water to their wounded and exhausted com- 
panions. 

The mules haiding the ammunition fell exhausted 
and could not rise. The Ameiicans were surprised 
at the determined resistance they met. Hitherto the 
war with Spain had been regarded as a joke, and to 
be a soldier was to be paid by the government for 
a giand summer picnic, and lay in a good store of 



238 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

political capital for tlie future. But in this skirmish 
of La Guasima, between fifteen and twenty-five were 
killed and about seventj^-five wounded. 

The so-called Rough Riders suffered heaviest, no 
doubt, on account of incompetency of officers. This 
regiment was supposed to be made up of Western 
frontiersmen, organized by Theodore Roosevelt, but 
in reality it was mainly composed of New York 
society and newspaper men, w^ho had, no doubt, 
learned horsemanship in some riding academy. 
Frontiersmen, accustomed to ambuscades, would 
never have been caught in such a trap as was set for 
the Rough Riders. They fought bravely, but their 
courage partook of the dare-devil, foolhardy courage 
which is ruinous to an army. 

One among the first killed was young Hamilton 
Fish, a namesake and descendant of Grant's secretary'- 
of state, to whose neglect, it was charged, the Amer- 
icans taken from the Virginius were murdered in 
Santiago. It seemed a strange fatality, indeed. 

During the conflict, while the Rough Riders were 
retreating and fighting, the men began to sweai-, 
upon which Colonel Wood shouted : 

" Don't swear — shoot !" 

For six days after the above skirmish the Ameri- 
can army continued to press slo^vly on, holding every 
foot of ground gained, and pushing the enemy back 
near to Santiago, until on the 29th of June the 
invading army rested upon the heights round about 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 239 

the city, from whence the walls of the city and forts 
could be plainly seen. 

On this morning, over a scorching trail, which 
was trying alike to man and beast, General Shafter 
arrived at the front with his staff. The general at 
once repaired to the quarters of General Wheeler, 
where there was an immediate consultation which 
meant business. General Shafter and his staff were 
three hours in making the trip, having left the head- 
quarters boat, the Seguranca, at eight o'clock. 
General Shafter was a very heavy man, said to 
weigh quite 300 pounds, but so far he had suffered 
very little from the excessive heat of the tropics. 
He rode a large bay horse, which carried him over 
the rough roads. 

Before the visit of General Shafter to Wheeler's 
headquarters he had visited General Garcia of the 
Cuban army, where they had discussed the reported 
advance of Spanish reinforcements under General 
Pando. These reinforcements were thou2:ht to con- 
sist of about eight thousand men, and General Garcia 
was of the opinion tliat he would be able to head 
off Pando or w^hoever might come with reinforce- 
ments. 

June 30th found the American army lying in front 
of the Spanish outposts only awaiting the dawn to 
beo;in the first real battle on land of the war. 

When day began to dawn all was quiet. Before 
daylight the soldiers arose from their uncomfortably 



240 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

lieds on the ground, and it was easy to see that 
La\vton's Division was about to move. The men had 
their breakfast and were in line as the sun rose, and 
soon long lines were moving on El Caney. Grimes' 
battery opened the engagement and the sharp crack- 
ing of rifles soon bore evidence that the enemy was 
aware of their presence and had determined to resist 
their approach. 

As the forces under command of Brigadier-General 
Lawton advanced to attack El Caney, a suburb,of the 
city, the fleet of Admiral Sampson began to thunder 
at the fortifications at the channel entrance to Santi- 
ago Bay. This was at seven o'clock in the morning. 
In a moment the battle was on, and, as the Vesuvius 
joined in the bombardment of the Spanish defences, 
sending her dynamite shells at the fort, the Spanish 
fleet trained its guns upon the American soldiers 
who were closing about the city. 

By eleven o'clock the conflict was at its height, 
and the Spanish troops were being forced back by 
the invading army. Wounded were being constantly 
brought into the American camp, while from the 
hilltops many Spaniards could be seen deserting the 
city. 

Lawton's force consisted of the Second Division of 
the Fifth Army Corps, and comprised three brigades. 
These were all regulars, seasoned and experienced 
men in battle, with the exception of the Second Massa- 
chusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the best organ- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 241 

izations of tlie army. The three brigades, with their 
commanders, were as follows : 

First Brigade, commaDded by Colonel J. J. Van 
Home — Eighth United States Infantry, Twenty- 
Second United States Infantry, and Second Massa- 
chusetts Infantry. 

Second Brigade, commanding officer, Colonel Bates 
— First United States Infantry, Fourth United 
States Infantry, and Twenty-fifth United States In- 
fantry. 

Third Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General 
A. R. Chaffee — Seventh United States Infantry, 
Twelfth United States Infantr}^, and Seventeenth 
United States Infantry. 

As has been stated the engagement began about 
seven o'clock on Friday, July 1st, Grimes' battery 
at El Pozo, being the artillery of the left wing, 
attacking the Spanish force on San Juan heights, 
while the Second Division, under General Lawton, 
began the attack on El Caney. 

The center of the American line was occupied by 
the cavalry corps under General Sumner, General 
Wheeler having been seized with illness. At El 
Pozo ranch, which is located 16,000 yards from the 
first defenses of Santiago, the Second Artillery was 
stationed, while in the valley below Grimes' battery 
was soon in full action with four guns. Miles' brig- 
ade in the valley was supported in its position by 
General Ludlow, while Genei-al DuffieAd'a brigade 



242 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

advanced up the railroad track and the bridge for 
the purpose of making a feint, and Chaffee's brigade 
preceded the advance of Lawton's troops. In the 
rear of Sumner, in the center, was General Pearson's 
Second Brigade of the First Division, which was 
assigned this position to await orders from the front. 
A battery was also located on the cliff a mile and a 
half from El Caney. 

The Spanish works on the San Juan hill consisted 
of a blockhouse and a battery. Ten shots had been 
hurled at it by Grimes' battery before the Spaniards 
replied. When they began action, however, they 
did )i so viciously, and the air was soon filled with 
shells, which went hissing on their mission of 
destruction. Most of the shells burst in the air over 
the hill, although the enemy had the range perfect, 
and should have done considerable execution. One 
American cavalryman was wounded during the early 
part of the engagement. Close at hand two troops 
of the Rough Riders had been stationed. They 
were protected by the bushes, and the shells burst 
over them continually. As the shrapnel whizzed 
about with ugly and ominous sound the troopers 
remained cool, and some even joked. While the 
Spaniards used nothing but shrapnel, the Americans 
used solid shot in addition. 

It did not consume over twenty minutes to silence 
the Spanish batteries. 

In the meantime, on the extreme right the battle 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 243 

was raging furiously. In this division there was a 
specimen of genuine Southern pluck. General 
Wheeler, although ill, could stand his inaction no 
longer, and commanded that he be taken to his 
command. A litter was improvised, and the 
plucky commander was carried to the front. The 
Spaniards did not use artillery here, but their volley 
firing was well sustained, being brisk at all times. 

While General Lawton and General Wheeler were 
attacking El Caney, General Kent was advancing to- 
ward Aguadores. General Garcia, with his Cuban 
troops, at the same time approached El Caney from 
the southeast, and the other divisions of the American 
army pressed toward Santiago from the east, the 
forces thus presenting a solid front from the coast to 
General Linare's northern defenses. 

Four members of the Twenty-first Regiment of 
Regulars were killed in fighting between Sevilla and 
Aguadores, while sixteen other Americans, all mem 
bers of the Twenty-first were wounded. There was 
desperate fighting about Aguadores. Acting under 
orders from General Linares, the Spaniards at that 
point returned the American fire with fury. They 
boldly faced the enemy's fire holding their ground 
tena- ciously, and pi-essing forward whenever an op- 
portunity to gain an advanced footing presented itself. 

In their operations about Aguadores, the Ameri- 
cans were greatly encouraged by the work of the 
fleet, which poured a heavy fire into the lines of the 



244 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Spaniards. The soldiers could hear the heavy 
cannonading of the fleet, and the sound filled them 
with enthusiasm as they advanced into the town^ 
both tbe left and right flanks firing in platoons, the 
roar of the fire being continuous. Tbe firing of the 
warships which was heard by the troops was from 
the New York, Suwanee and Gloucester, which 
bombarded the Spanish batteries from six to nine 
o'clock. The Thirty-third Michigan Kegiment and 
the Twentieth Regular Infantry were marching up 
the track from Aguadores, and the three ships were 
protecting them. Tlie troops entered the bush, 
headed toward the fortifications. 

The Gloucester, close to the shore, sent three shots 
over the fort, and they landed near tbe spot where 
the railroad crosses the trestle which spans the 
Guama River near Aguadores. The Suwanee turned 
loose her guns, and immediately afterward the flag- 
ship New York began to bellow. The heavy shots 
of the New York swept up the valley, tearing away 
vegetation and ripping up the earth on both sides 
of the hills. Heavy rifle firing mingled with the 
cannonading, and as the din increased the transport 
Vulcan, the warship Newark, and the Harvard ran 
up long strings of flags, the troops on the Vulcan 
and Harvard, which had just ariived, cheering lustily. 

The bombardment of the Spanish fortifications 
increased, and the big shells of tbe New York con- 
tinued to whistle and sizz and roar with a rapidity 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WrfH SPAIN. 245 

which deafened the ears and bewildered the senses. 
Dense clouds of dust arose as the shells struck, and 
the view of the hills and the Spanish batteries was 
for the moment obscured. The Suwanee aimed at 
the Spanish fort, and as every shot struck, clouds of 
earth, granite, and small stones were sent flying 
high. A huge Spanish flag was flying from the 
corner-stone of the fort. A shot from the Suwanee 
struck the stone and tilted it. With a yell a number 
of Sjmniards seized the flag, and under a raking fire 
attempted to straighten out the ensign. The Suwanee 
continued to fire upon the fort, her remarkable marks- 
manship being a source of awe, apparently, to the 
Spaniards, who displayed great bravery under fire. 

The New York, as if jealous of the work which 
was being done by the Suw^anee, moved closer in 
shore, and in an instant was placing her shells on 
both sides of the gulch and rending asunder the for- 
tifications which had been erected for the protection 
of the Spanish batteries. High upon a hill was a 
battery which was partially concealed by dense 
growth. This was destroyed by a shot from the 
New York, which sent it into thousands of torn and 
broken pieces. Soon there was silence at the forts. 

In the meantime the Siiwanee's gunners were at 
work upon the Spanisli flag. It seemed to rouse 
them like the proverbial red flag before the eyes of 
the angry bull. Finally a shot again tilted the flag, 
and again it was straightened by the Spaniards, with 



246 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the same exultant yells. At last there was a pause 
for a moment from the Suwanee. The gunner was 
takinof careful aim. Then came another shot. It 
struck the flag square in the middle, leaving a ribbon 
of red at the top and the same at the bottom. They 
followed this up by knocking down the entire corner 
of the fort and all. The total disappearance of the 
flag was greeted with cheers from the ships and the 
tooting of the whistles of the newspaper boats. 

After an hour's firing the gunners took a rest of 
ten minutes, when the New York again opened up, 
her big guns sweeping the hills and valley. In the 
meantime the volley firing on shore ceased, and 
twenty-two Americans walked out into the open air 
with the red cross in fi'ont and rear. After another 
short rest by the gunners the ships again opened fire, 
and by the time the fighting on shore had been 
suspended nearly all of the shore batteries had 
been silenced. 

General Shafter's troops had made an advance all 
along the lines. One of the features of the day's 
fighting was the singing of the " Star Spangled Ban- 
ner," by the members of the Twenty-fifth Infantry 
while in the heat of the battle, and while many of 
the men were dropping from wounds and from 
exhaustion. 

When night came the tired soldiers lay on their 
arms in drenching rain. The field was strewn with 
dead and dying. The fatality among oflScers was 



ttlStORV OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. ^47 

simply appalling, showing that Spanish sharpshooters 
had a strong preference for shoulder-straps. 

General Hawkins was wounded, and Colonel 
Wyckoff, of the Twenty-second Infantry, killed. 
The weather, which up to this time had been fair, 
now changed. The rainy season was on in earnest, 
and the soldiers were every few hours drenched with 
tropical rains. The streams were swollen and newly- 
made roads washed out. To add to other incon- 
veniences, the tropical sun immediately succeeding 
a deluge filled the air with a humidity that seemed 
to steam the troops and make their condition 
intolerable. 

After the capture of El Caney, shortly before dark 
General Lawton's Division, with the Independent 
Brigade of General Bates, who had fought all day 
for the town, moved up and joined their force to 
that of Generals Wheeler and Kent. The line 
was shortened during the night, that the enemy 
might next morning find themselves confronted 
within the space of three miles, with fully 12,000 
more troops. Grimes', Cameron's, and Dillingham's 
batteries were also brought up during the night and 
planted along the ridge of rolling ground which 
confronts the city. ' 

General Shaf ter, in his tent, which was lighted by 
a tallow dip, remained up until after midnight, con- 
ferring with his division and brigade commanders, 
discussing the situation and plan of action for the 



248 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

morrow. The general said be was proud of tlie gal- 
lant conduct of the troops, and perfectly satisfied 
with the results attained. At the same time General 
Shafter expressed deep regret at the heavy loss 
which his command had sustained. He said the 
action would be resumed at dawn. 

" But," he added, " I cannot tell you whether an 
attempt will be made to carry the town by assault, 
owing to our troops being worn out and exhausted 
with the hard day's fighting." 

During the early evening the band played " Hail 
Columbia," and " There'll be a Hot Time in the Old 
Town To-night." The American troops bivouacked 
on the grounds they had taken so gallantly, but it 
was stained with the blood of many brave men. 
Stricken homes and sorrow^ed lives had been left be- 
hind, and many a brave boy lay sleeping with the 
dew of death upon his beardless face and curling 
locks, while mother and sweetheart far away lay 
dreaming of him, all unconscious that hie had given 
his life for his country. 

No fires were lighted, but the clouds rolled away, 
and the moonlight streaming softly down upon the 
scene of the day's carnage. The soldiers rested. 
Most of them had not touched food during the day, 
and ate hard tack and raw bacon from their knap- 
sacks, and then, without blankets or shelter, threw 
themselves upon the bare ground and slept. During 
the night fresh ammunition and food was brought 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 249 

up and distributed, but none of the dead were car- 
ried off the field, and the remains of many lying in 
deep undergrowth, near the line of advance, were 
never found, save by the buzzards. The wounded 
were carried to the rear to receive the ministrations 
of the doctors, which, no matter how early it came, 
was always welcome. At divisional medical head- 
quarters Major Wood and Captain Johnson were 
dressing wounds, and their staff worked all night. 

On Saturday, July 2d, the battle was renewed, 
and the attempt to drive the Spaniards out was no 
less determined than the day before. But as the 
main outposts had been captured on Friday, the 
efforts of the Americans were directed to driving 
the enen. y into their last trenches. 

During the day the Spanish General Vard De Ray 
and his brother were killed, and close to them were 
three of the generaPs aids, all fatally ^vounded. 
Valuable papers, giving descriptions of the plans and 
fortifications, were found upon the general. These 
were secured by General Garcia of tlie Cuban forces. 

Vultures in large numbers were hovering over the 
battlefield, and many of the bodies stripped of flesh 
before they could be given burial. In several of the 
trenches were seen skeletons, mute witnesses of the 
work which these birds of prey can accomplish in a 
short time. 

It was thought great damage had been inflicted 
upon Santiago. Hundreds of houses were supposed 



250 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

to have been riddled by American shells, and many 
of them completely demolished. Some of this dam- 
age was done Saturday, when the Spaniards sought 
to spring a surprise, and made a desperate attempt 
to retake San Juan Hill, which was captured after 
one of the most heroic charges in the annals of war. 

The Spanish attack was repulsed with great losses 
to the enemy. They were mowed down by the 
American fire, and fell in their ranks by the dozens. 
Their rush was impetuous, almost mad. After the 
first attempt the line wavered and fell back, but 
later made a second attempt, while the Americans 
waited to meet the coming rush. This time their 
loss was heavier than when they made their first 
attack. Huge gaps were cut in their ranks, and the 
hill was soon running with blood. 

They rallied for an instant in the hell of fire, and 
then, after the line had wavered a moment, there 
came such a rnin of shot and shell that the Spaniards 
turned and fled in disorder, their ranks decimated, 
and their paths strewn with dead and dj^ing. At the 
foot of the hill the Spaniards halted for a moment, 
and then turned again and dashed up the hill. The 
same rain of bullets met them, and they again re- 
treated, this time to renew the attack no more. As 
they took to their heels the Americans, shouting at 
the top of their voices, cliarged and pursued the 
Spaniards to the intrenchments at the very gates of 
the City of Santiago. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 251 

The American forces continued to move forward 
while the enemy retreated, but not without stub- 
bornly fighting for every inch of ground which they 
were compelled to relinquish. The work of the men 
on San Juan hill had evidently inspired them to do 
anything which promised to result in advantage to 
the American forces, regardless of personal safety. 
There was a determination to forge ahead, to take 
the city, if the command was given. 

A desperate attempt was made by the Spanish to 
retake El Caney about ten o'clock Saturday morn- 
ing. There suddenly came a dash from an aban- 
doned church in the neighborhood, and a run was 
made for the American lines. This attack was re- 
pulsed, as usual, by the Americans, and, as a result 
of the desperation of tlie enemy, there were more 
terrible losses upon their side. Not over a dozen 
Americans suffered from the Spanish charge, and 
these suffered from wounds which were comparatively 
slight. The Ninth Massachusetts and the Twenty- 
third and Twenty-fourth Michigan regiments, with 
General Lawton at their head, rushed up from 
Siboney, and aided the batteries of Parkhurst, 
Grimes, and Burt, which were engaging tlie Santiago 
fortifications. In this eno;aojement Parkhurst was 
wounded. The Spaniards continued to train their 
guns upon the Americans with considerable effect. 

Just before the arrival of Lawton several of the 
American guns were disabled, and the Spanish 



252 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

sharpshooters had begun to get in their work. The 
artillerymen suffered from this fire, and as the bat- 
tery was handicapped through the inability of the 
artillery to support it, it was removed to El Paso, 
from which hill Capron w^as sending shells into the 
batteries of the Spaniards. When the force under 
Lawton arrived the Spaniards were driven back into 
the intrenchments behind the city. 

While the battle of the land forces was going on 
the work of Sampson's fleet was progressing favor- 
ably, and Morro Castle was reported to be in a help- 
less state. The principal work was done by the 
Oregon, the Iowa, and the Texas. Every fortifica- 
tion had been rendered useless by nightfall, and the 
flag of Spain no longer waved from the entrance of 
the harbor, but lay torn and riddled amid the heaps 
of stone and mortar which marked the spot where a 
shell from the Grioucester struck. 

The fighting at the close of the engagement Satur- 
day was rather intermittent, but the Americans se- 
cured themselves more firmly in their intrenchments. 
No army of Spaniards could dislodge them or stay 
their steady march toward Santiago. 

When night once more sj^read her sable wing over 
the stricken, sore, and wounded armies, that hell of 
noise, fire, and death grew still, and once more the 
soldier sank upon the blood-stained earth. Only the 
cries of the wounded and groans of .the dying were 
heard. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 253 

Shafter had learned that a more stubborn resist- 
ance was to 1)6 met than he had at first calculated 
upon, and his official dispatches showed that he took 
anything but a hopeful view of the situation. The 
Cubans sent to prevent the Spanish force from enter- 
ing Santiago proved inadequate to the task, and the 
reinforcements entering greatly encouraged the 
enemy. General Shafter in his official report said 
he might have to reform his lines, and grave fears 
were felt at Washington that all that had been 
gained by the Americans would be lost. 

The American land forces lost in the two days' 
fighting twenty-three officers and 208 men killed, 
and eighty officers and 1,203 men wounded, with 
eighty-one missing, making a total loss of 1,595. 

The utmost vigilance was required to guard 
against sudden assaults, and Saturday closed in 
gloom to the battle-scarred and tired American 
army. 

General Linares had thrown himself into the fore- 
front of the battle from the minute the American 
forces under command of Major-General Shafter 
effected a landiner in Cuba. 

O 

He went with his troops to the j^lateau opposite 
Altares, and from there witnessed the landing of 
General Shafter's troops. He it was who planned 
the ambuscade at La Guasima, in which the Rough 
Riders were caught and a dozen killed. 

He remained at that pointy taking personal charge 



364 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

of his men, and encouraging them to make a desper- 
ate resistance to the advance of our troops. He was 
at the head of his men in several skirmishes that 
took place while the American troops were fighting 
their wa\', foot by foot, from Juragua to Se villa. 

He had his headquarters in Se villa when General 
Shafter's men made an assault against that place, and 
was one of the last to retire when the Americans 
drove the Spaniards back toward Santiago. 

From the moment of our attack on the enemy's 
outer defenses Friday morning General Linares was 
much in evidence. Mounted on a spirited horse, the 
Spanish general rode up and down the lines before 
his troops, directing their defense of the city's in- 
trenchments, and freely exposing himself to our fire. 

While thus inspiring his men to bi-avery by his 
own actions he was struck by a bullet, and fell from 
his horse to the ground. He was surrounded immed- 
iately, and while the Spaniard? were fighting fiercely 
to keep back the Americans, was carried to a point of 
temporary safety in the city by the members or his 
staff, and General Toral succeeded him in command. 

During the first day's fight three vessels of Samp- 
son's auxiliary fleet performed a daring feat in an- 
other harbor of the Santiao^o district. Admiral 
Sampson sent the Hist and Hornet and Wampatuck 
to Manzanillo to destroy four Spanish gunboats 
which the admiral had been informed were lying in 
that harbor. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 255 

Instead of finding only that array of fighting craft, 
the American vessels encountered, in crescent for- 
mation, nine vessels, including a torpedo boat and a 
cruiser. 

They also found themselves flanked by land bat- 
teries and armed pontoons, while a heavy battery of 
field artillery was in position on the water front to 
aid in making warm the reception of Sampson's ves- 
sels. In addition to this formidable display the 
Spaniards showed several guns in the fort on the 
hill, while the shore for two miles was lined with 
soldiers, who maintained a fierce fusillade. 

Undaunted by this formidable array, the three 
little American vessels steamed into the harbor and 
began an attack. Their fire was returned by the 
Spanish vessels, and for two hours a hot fight was 
waged. Shots repeatedly went straight from the 
guns of each combatant, doing much damage when 
they struck. 

During the engagement the Hist was the main 
target for the Spanish gunners, who showed greater 
adeptness in their aim than had the Spanish gunners 
stationed in the forts along the coast. They suc- 
ceeded in hitting the Hist eleven times, but the 
plucky little craft withstood the heavy fire gallantly. 

Again and again she ran close up to the enemy's 
vessels, persistently refusing to draw away because 
of the accuracy of the Spanish aim. But for the 
accident to the Hornet the American vessels would 



256 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

not have withdrawn from the scene after fighting 
two hours. When the firing was hottest a shell went 
sciiiryiuo" in the direction of the Hornet, strikino^ the 
main steam pipe of that vessel, scattering over the 
deck and doing considerable damage. 

As soon as the Hist and the Wampatuck discov- 
ered that the Hornet was disabled, their captains 
decided that it would be useless to fight longer 
against such a superior enemy. Accordingly the 
AYampatuck hastened to the rescue of the Hornet, 
the Hist meantime keeping up its sharpest fire. 

After the AVampatuck had succeeded in getting a 
line on the Hornet she steamed out to sea with the 
disabled vessel in tow. The Hist followed close 
after, pouring shot at the enemy until out of range. 
Duriiio; the eng-ao-ement the American vessels sue- 
ceeded in sinking one of the Spanish gunboats, one 
sloop, and one pontoon. They also disabled the 
enemy's torpedo boat, did much damage to several of 
the gunboats in the harbor, and made a marked im- 
pression on the Spanish land batteries. They also 
discovered the Purissima Concepcion and two large 
transports lying in the harbor. 

As if this were not enough excitement for one 
small auxiliary cruiser, the Hist j)oked her nose into 
Negnira Bay and discovered a Spanish gunboat lying 
there. She immediately opened fire on the Span- 
iard, which, taken so completely by surprise, replied 
feebly and inaccurately. She was sunk by the Hist 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 257 

in ten minutes. The Hist subsequently had another 
exciting experience with a ship laden with Spanish 
troops, and again the little fighter came out with new 
laurels. She discovered the troopship some distance 
out from shore and promptly clialleiiged her. The 
ship did not stop when the Hist fired a shot across 
her bow. Instead, her captain sent her toward the 
shore. 

The captain of the Hist knew that he could take 
his little craft just as far in as the Spaniards could 
go with the troopship, so lie started in hot pursuit 
after the larger vessel. He could not capture the 
ship, but he drove her aground. 



258 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER XL 

CERVERA's desperate dash DESTRUCTION OF THE 

ENTIRE FLEET — HOBSON's EXCHANGE RUMORS 

AGAIN OF PEACE THE CADIZ FLEET REPORTED 

TO BE RETURNING TO SPAIN DECISION TO SEND A 

WAR FLEET TO THE SPANISH COAST. 

It is the unexpected that happens in war as well 
as in peace; and yet Admiral Cervera's bold dash 
from the harbor could hardly be called the unex- 
pected, as there ^vas a rumor current for several 
days that such an attempt would be made. 

On Blanco's head seems to rest the blame for this 
most daiing and rash act. General Blanco sent a 
cable message to Cervera to leave the harbor where 
he had been bottled up so long. It was an unwise 
order, for the feat was impossible. 

In the Friday and Saturday fights the Spanish 
fleet had been a great bugbear to the American sol- 
diers. It was reported that a shell from the Vizcaya 
swept one entire company of soldiers away. 

Saturday night closed in gloomy enough for the 
American army. At Washington great apprehen* 
sion was felt for Shafter, especially when the news 
reached the capital that Spanish reinforcements had 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 259 

been thrown into the city. It began to look very 
much as if the American army would have to fall 
back and lose all they had gained. 

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. The 
clouds, since the last deluge, had rolled away and 
the sun shone on sea and land. 

The ships of Sampson's fleet rode idly at anchor 
in the bay, the sailors on the vessels were gazing 
with sympathetic eyes oil to the shore where near 
two thousand of their countrymen lay dead and 
wounded. Admiral Sampson, with his flagship, the 
New York, had gone up the coast twelve miles away, 
while Commodore Schley was some distance from 
the harbor, neither commander being near enough 
to direct an attack. But no direction was necessary, 
for they had rehearsed their plans so often in the 
event of Cervera's trying to escape that each ship 
knew exactly what to do when the critical moment 
came, and there was no need for a commander. 

"Fighting" Bob Evans, the commander of the 
Iowa, was sitting in his cabin talking to his son, a 
cadet on the Massachusetts, w^ho had been left in a 
picket launch when the Massachusetts went at dawn 
to Guantanamo for coal. About 9:30 an officer 
on the bridge shouted : 

" What's that black thing coming out of the 
harbor ?" 

In a moment Captain Evans was ©n the deck and 
discovered that it was a Spanish cruiser. The crew 



260 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH STAIN. 

was beat to quarters, and a gun fired to attract the 
attention of the fleet. Anchors were hoisted or 
cables slipped. 

On board the Iowa tlie engine bell rang full speed 
ahead, and Bob Evans grasped the helm to put his 
great battleship starboard and across the bows of the 
Spanish shij) steaming out. The officers of tlie 
American fleet seized their glasses and swept the 
harbor. They discovered at a glance that the black 
object from which the smoke was rolling was 
Admiral Cervera's flagship. Behind her with a rush 
fully equal to the Spanish flagship, the Almirante 
Oquendo came throbbing toward the open sea. The 
remainder of the fleet steamed out of the narrows, 
making a dash toward the sea. The dramatic stir- 
ring scene quickly put every American commander 
in the fleet on his mettle. 

"Cervera's trying to escape!" was the cry that 
resounded through the fleet. Every American 
vessel quickly weighed anchor. The engines were 
started, and one by one the great American warships 
made ready for battle. Every man scampered to his 
gun, and the captains without waiting for signals 
prepared for a " free-pitch-in fight." 

In a few moments the Resolute was speeding east- 
ward after the New York, but the advance of the 
Spanish fleet was so rapid that our men could not 
wait for Admiral Sampson to get back. 

Just as the Cristobal Colon was poking her nose 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 261 

out into the open sea, Commodore Schley sent the 
Brooklyn madly rushing to the westward to head off 
Cerv era's flagship. He ordered the Massachusetts 
and the Oregon to follow after, at the same time 
ordering the Indiana, Iowa and Texas to intercept 
the other vessels of the escaping fleet. Then began 
one of the greatest sea fights in history. 

It was not known whether Admiral Cervera had 
blown up the Merrimac or passed it in single column. 
His ship, the Cristobal Colon, glided out of the 
harbor and shot to the westward, her two funnels 
and high bulwarks showing plainly against the 
green of the hills, her pennant and the Spanish red 
and yellow ensign in lashing above. 

In a few seconds the American fleet was in motion, 
the Indiana, which was closest, heading straight in 
shore to get close range. The Spaniards opened fire 
with an eleven-inch Hontoria, and mighty fountains 
of water rose above the battleship and wet her decks. 
The shell fell near her bow. At first one could 
scarcely believe his eyes, but when the Oquendo 
appeared and steamed swiftly westward into 
smoke and lightning where Cervera's flag still flew, 
it flashed upon all that here was to be history-mak- 
ing indeed. It was a sublime spectacle of a desper- 
ate admiral, who had decided to give battle against 
overwhelming odds in the oj)en water rather than 
remain and l)low up his own ships in the harbor of 
the beleaguered cit3'. Cervera's flag was hidden for 



262 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

a time as be fled westward, bis port broadside 
emitting flasbes and tongues of flamC; wbicb marked 
bis progress. 

For tbe next five minutes be ran a gantlet sucb 
as no sbip bad ever run in bistory, and wben bis 
consorts were burning, and be surrendered bis sbip, 
be still bad a gun or two capable of action. 

Tbe Indiana fell on tbe Oquendo, paying no beed 
to tbe Morro battery, wbose gunners tried bard to 
protect tbe cruiser as sbe moved to tbe westward. 
Tbe Iowa let Cervera go into tbe bands of tbe 
Oregon, Massacbusetts, and Brooklyn, and tben 
turned witb tbe Texas to pound tbe Oquendo. 
Tben every American sbip was in action, and smoke 
sbrouded tbe coast and blew away lazily, revealing 
geysers about tbe sbips wbere tbe Spanisb sbells 
from tbe cruisers and tbe Morro tore tbe water. 
A sbip emerged from tbe barbor. It was tbe 
Vizcaya, coming at full speed, smoke curling over 
her bows as sbe took her course to tbe westward and 
brougbt ber bow guns into play. 

Bebind ber came tbe Infanta Maria Teresa and 
Spain's two mucb dreaded torpedo-boat destroyers, 
perbaps two hundred yards apart. Tbe Maria Teresa 
was received witb a terrific storm of shells. Smasbed 
and on fire, sbe was beacbed close to tbe Morro. 

The Iowa steamed for a time forward witb the 
Oquendo, and tbe Indiana did tbe same with the 
Vizcaya, but as the fight thus moved westward it 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 263 

became clear that the Americans were willing that 
the Spanish ships should run far enough from the 
Morro to lose the aid of the guns there, and in 
twenty minutes this was done. 

This was a bit of strategy which was developed 
under fire, and which was accepted at once by all 
the American ships without orders. In fact, the 
smoke often made it impossible to see the signals 
which Commodore Schley was making from the 
Brooklyn, so tremendous was the firing all along the 
line. 

Both the Oquendo and the Vizcaya were some- 
times within 1,000 yards of the Indiana. The range 
varied, but as a rule it was short and extremely 
deadly. Nevertheless the high speed and the thick 
armor of their class stood the Spanish in good stead 
as they followed in the path of honor marked out by 
Admiral Cervera. Three-quarters of an hour after 
the action began it was evident that the Spanish 
had many guns disabled, and would have to sur- 
render. 

There were terrible casualties on the enemy's 
ships. As the smoke cleared a little one could see 
the Spanish flagship, her port broadside spouting 
smoke, still holding on to the westward. 

The Texas and the Massachusetts joined the In- 
diana and the Iowa. The Oquendo and the Vizcaya 
hugged the shore and steamed after Cervera, pledged 
to go with him to defeat and death. Shells burst 



264 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

on the decks of the Spanish cruisers at short inter, 
vals. Often they were on fire, but again and again 
they extinguished the flames, and manned again and 
again guns from which they had been driven. 

The green coast on their starboard side smoked 
with the shells which flew over them, and crashing 
sounds heard amid the thunder of great rifles told 
of armor-piercing shells driven into and through 
their protected sides. Still they fired. Their shots 
fell about the Indiana and Iowa thickly. 

At one time the Gloucester was being fired at by 
the Vizcaya, both torpedo boat destroyers, and the 
Morro battery. That she was not sunk, and that 
she had enough men left to work her guns, was 
marvelous. She lay close in to where the Vizcaya 
came out, and ran along parallel, firing at the cruisers 
as fiercely in proportion to her size as did the Indi- 
ana and Iowa. Captain Eulate of the Vizcaya prob- 
ably feared a toipedo from the Gloucester, for he 
turned loose his secondary battery at her as he 
passed on into a storm of shells from the battleships. 

Then the destroyers came out, and the Gloucester 
accepted them at once as parts of her contract. The 
destroyers were strong in machine guns, and guns of 
the three and six-pounder class. 

It seemed that smoke jets burst from the destroyers 
in tw^enty places as they slipped along after the Viz- 
caya, and the water all about the Gloucester was 
kept splashing by shells and bullets from machine 



,1 




HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 265 

guns, but the yacht steamed ahead, keeping the de- 
stroyers directly between her and shore, and ham- 
mering them. 

The Morro was throwing shells from behind, and 
occasionally the Vizcaya turned a gun or two to aid 
her followers. 

The yacht was often completely hidden by smoke. 
One could not but wTmder if she had been sunk, but 
she always forged ahead, and appeared again busier 
than ever. In ten minutes the fire of the destroyers 
slackened, but, although some of their guns were 
disabled, their machinery was all right, and they 
moved on till Morro could no longer take part in the 
battle. Then the New York ap2:)eared, hurrying on 
news from the Resolute that Cervera had dashed his 
wedge of cruisers into the American fleet, and was 
dying gloriously. 

The New York was six miles away when the de- 
stroyers saw her. The Morro thundered at Sampson 
as he came within range, l)ut the admiral never 
heeded, seeing on in the distance the dim forms of 
the Vizcaya and the Oquendo, hopelessly hemmed 
in by a circle of fire, and in the foreground the Glou- 
cester, fighting two destroyers at short range. 

When the destroyers saw the flagship they sped 
away from the Gloucester, and tried to overtake the 
Vizcaya and get into shelter on her starboard side. 
If that could not be done, there ought to be a chance 
to torpedo the Indiana, and break through our line 



266 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

to the open sea, where speed would save them, but 
the Indiana and Iowa steamed inshore. The Indi- 
ana's secondary battery had the first destroyer's 
range, and rained shells upon it. Splintered and 
torn, but still with tlieir steering gear and machinery 
intact, both destroyers turned back to run for the 
mouth of the harbor and seek safety inside, but it 
was too late. The fight had been carried nearly 
four miles west of the Morro, and the New York was 
already past the harbor mouth. 

The Gloucester was ready for them close at hand. 
She and the destroyers and the Indiana formed a 
triangle, of which the destro}'ers were the apex, and 
the American fii'e, converging, was too fierce for 
human beincjs to stand. 

One destroyer drifted into the surf on fire, a battered 
wreck, and the other crept on toward the Gloucester 
and the New York, with her guns silent and showing 
a flag of truce. She ^vas on fire too, and her crew 
ran her ashore to save the lives of those who had 
escaped our shells. She blew up soon after they 
abandoned her. 

The Spanish admiral was lost in smoke to the 
westward, when, at 10:45 a. m., the Vizcaya hoisted a 
white flag. This was followed by the Oquendo's 
going ashore with flames bursting from her decks. 
The Iowa, Indiana, Texas, and Massachusetts ceased 
firing, the Massachusetts going at once to join the 
Oregon and the Brooklyn in pounding up and 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 2G7 

smashing Cervera's sLip. Once headed off, the 
Oquendo turned into a small bay, four or five miles 
west of Santiago, where she lay close to the land. 

With an ever-weakening broadside the Vizcaya 
followed, first heading out as if to break through 
the line of battle. The Indiana and Iowa closed in, 
and their formation made her escape in that direc- 
tion impossible. Captain Eulate then attempted to 
reach the east side of the bay, occupied by the 
Oquendo, but in vain. With a glass one could see 
that the Vizcaya's bulwarks near the stern had been 
torn away. Smoke poured out where shells had 
exploded inside, and she was on fire. Her guns, 
with the exception of those forward, were out of 
action. Her bow guns were still fired at intervals. 
Those who were not ^vorking the bow guns crowded 
forward to escape the smoke and fire aft. The 
Oquendo was ashore, her guns silent, and smoke 
rising in thick black clouds. There was a thunder- 
ing of guns to the westward now, and flashes in the 
smoke told that Cervera still fought, but to eastward 
of his ship lay the burning wrecks of his two 
destroyers. 

The torpedo boat Ericsson was seen coming along 
with the New York. The Oquendo was helpless. 
The Indiana and the Iowa were closing in, and shell 
after shell burst above and aboard the Vizcaya. 
Eulate hoisted a white flag as his ship went ashore, 
to save the remnant of his men, and simultaneously 



268 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

up went a flag of white on the Oquendo, and down 
came the flag of Spain. 

An hour and a half had elapsed since Cervera left 
the harbor, and of the five vessels which came out 
only his flagship was still in action. The Morro 
battery still stormed impoteutly at the New York. 
The American army, with 1,200 dead aud wounded, 
was not yet in Santiago, but Cervera's fleet was 
destroyed, and Cervera himself was only struggling 
on because he wished to make his defeat glorious in 
the eyes of the attentive world. He had proved, at 
least, that he was not bottled up so tightly as 
was supposed. He had lost four vessels and per- 
haps more than half of his men, but his pennant 
was still flying and some of his guns were still in 
action. 

Cervera passed the bay in which the Oquendo 
had sought refuge, and held on a due westward 
course close to the land, but evidently nourishing 
the desperate hope that he might break through the 
line and reach free water. He had passed in suc- 
cession the Indiana, the Iowa, and the Texas, not to 
speak of the little Gloucester, which spouted six- 
pound shells at him Since his flag appeared out- 
side the harbor his ship had been struck again and 
again. 

By this time the Vizcaya and the Oquendo were 
practically beaten, but in spite of the twelve and 
thirteen-inch shells that were rained upon him at a 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 260 

range which was very short for such guns, in spite 
of the fact that his boilers and machinery were 
damaged, he held his course. From a point a mile 
west of the Morro the Cristobal Colon was frequently 
invisible in low-hanging smoke from her own guns, 
and also that ^vhich drifted in shore from the battle- 
ships. Clearly now it might have been better if 
they had moved in circles and given battle under 
the Santiago batteries, whose aid would have les- 
sened the odds against them, but the Spaniards, 
through splendid strategy, had not been headed off 
until the batteries could no longer train their guns 
on our fleet. 

At 11:30 Cervera saw the Oregon cutting inshore 
ahead of him to round him to. The smoke was very 
thick. The firing was incessant. Cervera's available 
guns were no longer well served. Shells had set fire 
to his ship near the stern, and the flames were con- 
trolled with difficulty, but the Spanish admiral 
altered his course and headed off from the coast as 
if to attempt to pass between two ships and run 
for it. 

It was impossible. The Iowa and the Texas were 
already moving down to close the gap, and the 
Spanish flagship, raked by the Oregon and the 
Brooklyn at from 1,000 to 3,000 yards, and by the 
Iowa and the Texas at longer range, turned inshore 
again and ran for the rocks, where the surf was 
breaking. 



270 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. " 

He still replied occasionally, and all wondered 
when the smoke hid his ship, if he would be afloat 
when it lifted. 

The Iowa closed in on the doomed admiral. The 
Spanish flag from time to time, as the smoke drifted 
away, could be seen, and the flash of a gun at inter- 
vals proved that the Spaniard was consistently fol- 
lowing the idea which led him to quit the harbor — 
which was to make a glorious end. 

But his ship moved slowly now, as if disabled, 
and in a few minutes more his guns were silent. 
Black smoke replaced the swirling white. The 
flagship was aflame. Her men had been unable 
either to work the guns or smother the flames caused 
by bursting shells, and she was headed for the rocks. 
She struck bow on and rested there. Red flames 
burst through the black smoke, and soon a pillar of 
cloud rose straight up a thousand feet and bent 
against the green mountain. 

Cervera's ship was hopelessly lost. The American 
battleships ceased firing before she struck and ran 
in, apparently with the intention of saving the sur- 
vivors as prisoners. This was evidently expected by 
the Spaniards, notably by the Vizcaya's men, hun- 
dreds of whom thronged the forward deck, watching 
the flames eating their way toward them. 

The gunboat Gloucester was commanded by 
Lieutenant Wainright, an oflScer on the ill-fated 
Maine, who received Admiral Cervera on board his 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 271 

vessel. Grasping the hand of tlie gray-haired ad- 
miral, Lieutenant Wainwriglit said : 

*' Allow me to congratulate you, admiral, on the 
gallant fight you have made. It is the most daring 
feat in modern history." 

The admiral bowed his head, uttered not a word, 
while the tears silently coursing down his furrowed 
cheek told more than words how that lion-heart was 
lacerated and torn at defeat. The Cubans on shore 
with characteristic barbarity began shooting Spanish 
sailors in the water or knockino; out their brains as 
they landed, but when Captain Evans tlireatened to 
fire on them if they did not desist they retired to 
the woods, Cervera and his staff was afterward 
transferred to the Iowa and treated with the greatest 
respect. He was sent to America and everywhere 
met with civil treatment. The Americans lost one 
killed and three wounded on the Texas. The 
Spanish loss was very heavy, but the exact number 
of killed could never be ascertained. About 1,300 
prisoners were taken, 300 of whom were wounded. 

The battle was won wholly by the skill of Ameri- 
can gunners and seamen, the weight of their iron 
and resisting power of their ships. 

Shafter's army did not renew the attack on the 
Spanish works. The commander had learned 
that the enemy were too strongly fortified, and 
fought with too much desperation to be easily moved 
from their position. On the 5th of July the enemy, 



273 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

under a flag of truce, intimated tlieir willingness to 
exchan2:e Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond 
P. Hobsou and his companions for Spanish prisoners. 
In exchange for Hobson and his men the Americans 
released Lieutenants Amelio, Volez, and Augetius, a 
German belonging to the twenty-ninth Regular In- 
fantry, who were captured at El Caney in the Friday's 
battle, with Lieutenant Adolph Aries of the First 
Provisional Regiment of Barcelona, one of the most 
aristocratic organizations of the Spanish army, and 
fourteen non-commissioned officers and privates. 

Hobson and his companions were brouglit on foot, 
but not blindfolded, into the Americnn lines. Lieu- 
tenant Aries and a number of his men were wounded 
in the fight at El Caney. The Spanish prisoners 
were taken throu2:h the American lines mounted and 
blindfolded. 

Major Irles was given his choice of three Spanish 
lieutenants in exchange for Hobson, and was also 
informed that he could have all the fourteen men in 
exchange for the American sailors. The Spanish 

ficers selected Lieutenant Aries, and the other t\'o 

■anish officers were conducted back to Jurao^ua. 

:t w !S then not later than four o'clock, and as tl' 
> p r'ies wei'e separating, Irles tui'ned .-ind sni 

luteousl}' enough, but in a tone whicli indi at 
o isiderable defiance: 

" Our understanding is, gentlemen, that this truce 
comes to an end at five o'clock." 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 373 

The American officers nodded and Hobson and 
his companions were conveyed through the lines to 
the rear and taken to the flagship 'New York, 

The meeting of the two parties and the exchange 
of prisoners had taken place in full view of both 
armies, who were intrenched near tlie meeting-place, 
and watched the whole proceedings with the keenest 
interest. 

The Cubans, by the killing of helj^less prisoners 
who had fallen into their hands, began to lose favor in 
the eyes of the American soldiers. Many of the Cuban 
insurrectionists were noble, honest gentlemen, but a 
large number were negroes with all the bloody 
instincts of the African race. One officer in speak- 
ing of the black Cubans said : 

" They won't work, and they won't fight. Their 
only desire seems to be to eat. It will take Uncle 
Sam twelve months to fill up these fellows." 

Every day it was expected that the battle at 
Santiago would be renewed, but the flag of truce 
still waved above both armies. 

General Shafter, who had determined on bombard- 
ing the city, asked that all the foreign consuls, women 
and children and noncombatants be sent from 
the city. The road was lined with men, women 
and children, who, to the iiumher of 22,000, 
came over into the American lines and were sent to 
El Caney for protection. 

The number of wounded was much larger than 



274 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

was expected, and General Shafter in his report of 
the Friday's battle asked for more surgeons. Here 
again was a grand display of incompetency at Wash- 
ington. The surgeons were sent from New York 
city by water, when surgeons equally as good could 
have been obtained six days nearer to the sufferers. 
There has never been an excuse offered for this 
blunder. 

The newspapers in the United States again made 
themselves ridiculous by publishing that S^^ain was 
about to sue for peace. It was the old story agitated 
biweekly since the war began, and though denied 
by Spain and ridiculed by Europe was persisted in 
by the American press. Spain denied on every 
occasion any intent to give up the fight. 

The Cadiz fleet under Admiral Camara set sail 
several days before the Santiago fight, evidently to 
go to the Philippines. It reached the Suez Canal 
where it remained for a few days, and then started 
on its return to Spain. 

Meanwhile the president decided to send a fleet to 
bombard the coast towns of Spain and perhaps seize 
the Canaries. Admiral Watson, it was announced, 
was to be placed in command of the fleet, and the 
expedition was to sail on the fall of Santiago. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 275 



CHAPTER XII. 

BOMBARDMENT AND SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO THE 

CORRESPONDENCE SHAFTEr's REPORTS NUMBER 

OF ARMS AND PRISONERS GENERAL TERMS. 

The destruction of Cervera's fleet, the wounding 
of General Linares, and stubborn determined assaults 
of the Americans, had a very depressing effect on the 
spirits of General Toral, in command of Santiago. 
The American army had suffered more severely than 
was at first reported. Not only were they exposed 
to the enemy's bullets, shot and shell, but brought 
suddenly in midsummer into a tropica Icountry, just 
at the beginning of the rainy or sickly season, they 
were exposed to all the deadly diseases of the tropics. 
Resting in ditches filled with mud and water, they 
begged to be led to the assault of the city, preferring 
to be shot down by the enemy to death by yellow 
fever, which seemed inevitable if they remained long 
in their present position. 

Shafter was sick. Overcome by heat, and the ex- 
ertion of the 1st and 2d of July, he was confined to 
his tent most of the time for four or five days. After 
the destruction of Cervera's fleet he hoped that Toral 



276 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

would surrender witliout further fighting. Thus the 
two armies lay confronting each other until the 10th, 
with some little skirmishing and an occasional cannon 
shot. Shafter had all along felt the great lack of 
heavy siege guns and ammunition. These were 
difficult to bring over almost im[)assal)le roads, which 
were washed out almost every hour by torrents of 
rain. Until siege guns were bi'ouglit and mounted 
the reduction of Santiago without great loss of life 
was next to impossible. The question of assault was 
discussed among others, but was not thought feasible, 
owing to the strong position of the Spanish forces. 

A formal demand had been made for the surrender 
of Santiago, and the Spanish authorities on July 8th 
asked for time to consider the proposition. Toral 
wanted to communicate with the home o-overnment 
before taking sucli a step, and at the request of the 
Spanish officials cable operators were permitted to 
enter Santiao^o that the matter of surrender miixht 
be discussed with the government at Madrid. 

The general feeling among the American officers 
was that surrender would be made soon. On the 
9th General Shafter made the following report to 
the secretary of war : 

•' Plata del Este, July 9, 1898. 

"Secretary of War, Washington: Cable operators were 
permitted to go yesterday morning. The English cable 
was in working order, and some of tlie operators in the city. 
General Toral wanted these there, as they were the princi- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 277 

pal men. This cable has not been cut, and the men sent in 
have not taken it up again. English cable has been work- 
ing all the time through to Havana. 

" (Signed) Shafter/' 

Orders were issued that each regiment in the 
American lines hoist a flag on the trenches in front 
of the position it occupied. This gave the Spaniards 
an excellent idea of the extent and location of the 
American lines, and also made a very imposing ap- 
pearance. On the morning of the 9th a score of 
flags were fluttering at different points along the 
works, which extended for nearly four miles, inclos- 
ing the city on two sides. 

It was proposed that a battalion of sharpshooters 
should be formed from each regimental battalion in 
the army, to be commanded by officers of practical 
proficiency as marksmen and hunters. It was 
thought this battalion would be able to clear the 
region near the army of guerrillas, who had been 
harassing the troops from the corner of the cliap- 
arral. When General Shafter was sufficiently re- 
covered to leave his tent, he discovered that his 
division commanders liad succeeded in gaining strong 
positions by quiet night advances, and the American 
line had been very much strengthened. 

From General Bates' headquarters at the extren ■ 
left the American line had been advanced fiiil 
mile. The Third anti Twentieth regiments of Bate> 
Brigade hastily constructed trenches along the top 



278 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

of the hill, placing sand banks in front for protec- 
tion. From the advanced American lines a spot of 
green could be seen in the city, which caused much 
discussion as to whether it was a park or the ring in 
which bull-fights were conducted. With tlie unaided 
eye Spanish soldiers could be seen at work throu ing 
up intrenchments within the city lines, as if it was 
their intention to die in the last ditch. 

The lack of proper hospital facilities in the Ameri- 
can lines was accentuated by the arrival of 20,000 
refugees from Santiago. It was believed that Gen- 
eral Linares, far from seeking to prevent men, women, 
and children from leaving the city, encouraged the 
exodus. While thus being able to have more food 
for his own soldiers, General Linares had forced the 
Americans to struggle to feed the noncombatants, 
many of whom were the wives and children of Span- 
ish officers and soldiers in the trenches defending the 
city. 

Touching scenes were witnessed daily among the 
refugees at El Caney. No pen could do justice to 
the situation. General Linares told the noncom- 
batants they would not have to remain outside 
twenty-four hours more, when they could return. As 
a result the refugees took no food, and made no pro- 
vision for shelter during the extended absence. 

In effect, therefore, these 20,000 refugees, mostly 
women and childi'en, had been thrust out of San- 
tiago to starve or die of exposure unless they were 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 2^9 

succored by the American army. From a military 
standpoint international law did not make it neces- 
sary for General Shafter to permit this wholesale 
exodus from the city. 

On the contrary, the responsibility for the protec- 
tion of these noncombatants rested upon the Spanish 
commander until the women and children were ad- 
mitted into our lines. But then the responsibility 
of feeding and sheltering these helpless thousands 
fell upon the Americans. General Shafter relieved 
General Linares of a tremendous embarrassment and 
on the American army was a new and great respon- 
sibility. Many of the refugees did not conceal their 
hatred of the Americans, even while accepting their 
food and protection. 

Their condition, nevertheless, was truly appalling. 
A great majority were from destitute families of the 
city and had no means of getting further from San. 
tiago than El Caney or of bettering their condition. 
They could not return to the city until it was occu- 
pied by our army, and we must care for them as best 
we could. The Red Cross society opened a relief 
depot at El Caney and succeeded temporarily in 
satisfying their hunger. There were plenty of sup- 
plies at Sibouey, but no means of transj^orting the 
food to El Caney. The little village to the north- 
east of the beleaguered city could not have held 
half of the refugees. Thousands slept under shacks 
built in the streets and in the woods. 



280 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

One of the most pitiable of the many touching 
scenes enacted at El Caney was a pretty young 
mother, clad only in a thin wrapper, holding her 
three-weeks'-old babe in her arms, piteously begging 
for some condensed milk for her little one. Mother 
and babe had been so lonii^ without nourishment that 
the child at least must die within a few hours. 
Many similar cases were reported. A wealthy Eng- 
lish merchant begged for a can of beans for his 
family. It was given him and he carried it away 
under his coat, lest he should be robbed of it. 
Thousands of the refugees deserted El Caney and 
started to Siboney, w here there was no shelter for 
them, but where they could get more food. Hun- 
dreds of sick were gathered about the army commis- 
sary stations, where, amid unsanitary surroundings, 
gray-haired men and women tottered around beg. 
ging for a single piece of hardtack. Women fought 
with one another in their mad scramble to get into 
the Red Cross depot. 

And this terrible situation was certain to continue 
until Santiago fell. On the 9th Colonel Randolph 
with six batteries of artillery arrived at Santiago, 
with the First District of Columbia and Third 
Illinois Volunteers, which were hurried to the front 
to assist in the coming bombardment. It was 
expected that the bombardment would be resumed 
that day, but General Toral made a proposition of 
surrender. 




c 






HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 281 

It was shortly before noon when a little group of 
Spanish officers, under a flag of truce, came out from 
under the yellow wall of the besieged city and 
slowly made its way toward the American line. A 
detail was sent to meet them, and they were escorted 
to comfortable quarters, while the letter from 
General Toral was carried to General Shafter's tent, 
two miles from the front. The letter was couched 
in the icily courteous terms characteristic of such com- 
munications, and was as brief as possible. It bore 
the signature of General Toral, who commanded at 
Santiago after General Linares was wounded, and 
stated that he was prepared to surrender the city, 
provided his army w^ould be permitted to capitulate 
"with honor." This, he explained, meant that the 
Spanish forces should be unmolested and go in any 
direction they wished with arms and flying colors. 

The letter concluded with the bold statement that 
surrender under any other terms was an impossibility 
and would not be considered. General Shafter im- 
mediately cabled the facts to Washington, and sent to 
General Toi-al a refusal of his proposal, but added 
that he would communicate with his government 
and would extend the informal armistice until Sun- 
day at noon. 

Sunday, July 10th, dawned, and the rain which 
Lad been deluging the soldiers held up during the 
day, while the sun arose in a cloudless sky as if to 
welcome the peace that all had begun to hope foi-. 



282 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The armistice had only been extended to noon, and be- 
fore that hour General Toral refused to surrender un- 
conditionally as had been demanded. General Shaf- 
ter sent the following dispatch to the secretary of war 

" SiBONEY, via Hayti, July 10: Headquarters Fifth Army 
Corps. To Adjutant-General United States Army, Wash- 
ington: 1 have just received letter from General Toral declin- 
ing unconditional surrender. Bombardment by the army 
and navy ■will begin at as near 4 p. m. to-day as possible. 

" Shafter, Major-General.'' 

The day was spent in preparation for the com- 
mencement of a bombardment that all believed 
would be of short duration. General Shafter 
realized that from the strong position of the enemy 
their works could not be stormed without a fearful 
loss of life. The arrival of General Miles on the 
scene of action with reinforcements inspired the 
officers and men with new energy. General Miles 
did not supersede Shafter, though he consulted and 
advised with him, and approved what he had done. 
It was after four o'clock in the afternoon and the bom- 
bardment had not yet commenced. Suddenly from 
the enemy's works there was a flash of angry red, 
and a shell came soaring over the American works, 
exploding on the hill in the rear. The bombard- 
ment was on in earnest, the enemy having accepted 
the challenge themselves. At midnight General 
Shafter sent the following report : 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. ^3 

" Plata del Este, Cuba, July 10: Secretary of War, 
Washington: Enemy opened fire a few minutes past four 
with light guns, which were soon silenced by ours. There 
was very little musketry fire, and the enemy kept in their 
trenches. Three men were wounded. Will have force 
enough to-morrow to completely block all the roads to the 
northwest. Will push forward to-morrow. I am well. 

" General Garcia reports that the enemy has evacuated 
Voscanios, three miles from Santiago. Shafter." 

From tlie opening of the bombardment until dark 
American guns poui'ed a deadly fire into the Spanish 
lines 

Our men were greatly refreshed by their three 
days' rest, and fought with lionlike spirit. The 
knowledge of the arrival of reinforcements gave 
them new enthusiasm. 

The artillery was in place and doing effective 
work. The fire from the Spaniards in the trenches 
was very weak. The city of Santiago was almost 
in darkness soon after night set in, and all believed 
that the resistance of the Spaniards was about at 
an end. The men expected a general assault on the 
morrow should the city not surrender by daybreak. 
The ships of the squadron of Rear Admiral Sampson 
began the boml)ardment of Santiago shortly after four 
o'clock by preconcerted arrangement with General 
Shafter. It had been arranged that there should be 
a simultaneous firing by the ships and the land 
artillery, beginning at four, but a heavy rain fell, 
which interfered with the telephone and signal work 



2S4 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

of the army lines down to the railroad bridge at 
Aguadores, and the wigwag station established on 
the beach. 

At 4:45 p. M. the boom of artillery on the Ameri- 
can lines was heard, and the Brooklyn, lying half a 
mile east of Aguadores, a minute later opened fire 
with five-inch shells from her port battery. The 
Texas, to the westward, assumed position, and was 
followed by the Indiana, 

The Indiana sent a number of eight-inch shells 
over the steep hills and into the enemy's lines. The 
firing lasted an hour. It was impossible from the 
sea to estimate the results, as a view could not be 
obtained over the first hill. Less than a minute 
after the Brooklyn opened fire, a danger flag, white 
above yellow, was raised above Morro Castle. The 
scene of the naval bombardment w^as along the 
Morro peninsula, east of Aguadores, and the ships 
which hurled the shells were located about half a 
mile apart. To the extreme west of the line was 
the Indiana. She was placed just east of Aguadores. 

The signal for the bombardment was by a system 
of wigwagging. At the same time there was tele- 
phone communication with the bridge at Aguadores 
from the camp of General Shafter at the front. This 
telephone was captured nine days before, on the 
occasion when the Suw^anee shot away the Spanish 
flag which was waving over the fort at Aguadores. 
. When the vessels were about 800 yards oS. the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 285 

shore the Brooklyn began operations, and sent seven 
shots from her port battery. The Texas at once 
followed suit, and almost instantly the guns of the 
Indiana began to roar. The shells whizzed througli 
the air and disappeared over the hills in the direction 
of the city. 

After each shot there was a pause of two minutes. 
This had been agreed upon in order that the army 
oj05cer might signal from the front as to the effects 
of the shots and be able to notify the ships whether 
they were wrongly placed. The range was 10,000 
yards, north l)y west, and the town, the target of the 
guns, was completely obscured. The warning which 
the men in Morro Castle hoisted after the first shot 
came from the Brooklyn's guns, was to notify the 
Spaniards on land, but it could not prevent great 
damage to the town if the shells had landed in its 
immediate vicinity. Despite the fact that the bom- 
barding vessels were within easy range of Morro and 
other shore batteries, there was no attempt to reply 
to the American fire. The Brooklyn fired fifteen 
five-inch shells, the Texas three six-inch and seven 
twelve-inch shells, and the Indiana eight eight-inch 
shells. 

The roar from the exploding shells was heard all a- 
round Santiago Bay,and for twenty seconds after one 
of them left the gun it could be heard hissing tiirough 
the air, and as the terrible missiles burst near San- 
tiago the roar reached the gunners, seven miles away. 



286 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

As the bombardment by tlie sbi^^s proceeded, the 
laud artillery began its work on the east side of the 
city, and the roar of the fieldpieces was mingled 
with that from the ships' guns, and the crash of 
thunder accompanied the rainstorm which suddenly 
began. 

At six o'clock word was received by the fleet from 
General Shafter that the shells were landing too 
close to his lines, and then the firing ceased. Com- 
modore Schley afterward gave the following account 
of the afternoon's bombardment: 

" General Shafter signaled to me to begin the bom- 
bardment as soon as I could get into position. I 
doubted from the start whether I could hit the city. 
I had to guess at its location, and be very careful 
not to injure our own army. If I bombard to- 
morrow I shall have range-marks on shore to guide 
ine, and I shall take the ships closer to the shore 
than to-day. The water off Aguadores is so sniooth 
that our marksmanship was not affected by the 
swaying of the ship. In firing to-day I gave the 
turrets the greatest possible elevation by listing the 
ships. But I knew I would fall short. The guns 
will carry more than five miles, but, to throw shots 
over the cliffs, a great elevation is required." 

During the bombardment Captain Charles W. 
Rowell, of the Second Infantry, and Peter Nelson, a 
private of the same regiment, were killed, and 
Lieutenant Lutz and three privates wounded. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 287 

Next morning firing on tlie city of Santiago was 
resumed by the American forces at daybreak. 

Up a pretty valley, wliicli reminds one of tbe 
Trossaclis in Scotland, arose a night fog, veiling the 
city. Hinds' battery gave the Spaniards the first 
intimation that we were prepared to renew the con- 
flict. Several batteries followed his example, using 
shells and schrapnel, and also the Gatlings, which 
were excellent implements to sweep along the tops 
of trenches and knock off any heads that might be 
peering over. This fire usually provoked a rifle 
volley from the enemy, but no artillery answered 
the attack. The Spaniards evidently were awaiting 
an advance, but the orders were not to push on till 
the artillery was ready to assist. On our side the 
troops were well intrenched, with loopholes between 
sandbags to shoot through. 

General Wheeler's division took a blockhouse to 
the north, capturing twenty-five soldiers and two 
officers. Two American officers were wounded, and 
the captain of Company A, of the Second Regular 
Infantry, was killed. 

The capture of the city in a short time was inevi- 
table. The American and Cuban lines were sur- 
rounding the entire city, making the arrival of 
Spanish reinforcements impossible. 

The idea of carrying the city by assault was given 
up, and the plan was to harass the Spaniards with 
a continual fire from the American batteries, care- 



288 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

fully aimed, the riflemen at the same time shooting 
only at such particular marks as might be pre- 
sented by exposed Spaniards. No general engage- 
ment was expected, as an assault upon the enemy's 
works would be too costly to the lives of the Ameri- 
can troops. The Spaniards showed a desire to re- 
main in their intrench ments and act upon the defen- 
sive only, while the American sharpshooters along 
the trail were gradually j)icking off the Spanish 
sharpshooters hidden in trees. 

The New York first fired three shots to get the 
range, and there were enthusiastic cheers on board 
when the fact that she had struck it was signaled from 
shore. The Bi-ooklyn steamed up and began a slow 
fire. Later the Indiana began firing rapidly, fre- 
quently firing double shots. All of the shi23s used 
eight-inch guns. The range was 8,500 yards. The 
shots passed over the ridge, and their point of strik- 
ing and the effect of their explosion could not be 
seen from the sea. The signal corps on the ridge 
re[)orted that 101 of the 106 shots fired were effec- 
tive. The last shots struck in the vicinity of the 
cathedral, well into the city. 

Admiral Sampson was notified at fifteen minutes 
to one o'clock by General Shafter that a flag of truce 
had been raised, and it was supposed that it had 
been hoisted by the Spaniards. Commodore Schley 
left the Brooklyn and went to Siboney. From there 
he telephoned to General Shafter, and learned that 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 289 

it was Shafter who had called the truce, having sent 
Major Noble, of his staff, under a flag of truce, as 
the bearer of a sealed note to the Sj)anish commander 
demanding his surrender. 

All the batteries were ordered to suspend firing 
at one o'clock. Major Noble went from General 
AVheeler's headquarters on the firing line, 400 yards 
from the Spaniard's line. As he advanced toward 
the Spanish line the American battery on the left, 
through a misunderstanding of orders, began firing. 
Major Noble hastened back, and General Wheeler 
stopped the firing. Noble then started forward 
again, all firing having ceased. 

General Shafter ordered that each shot of the 
land batteries be aimed at some particular object. 
The firing was slow, and no Gatling guns were 
used. The infantry shot only at individual Span- 
iards, killing several sharpshooters who were sta- 
tioned in the trees. The dynamite gun was used 
effectively. The Spanish batteries in reply fired 
four harmless shots. 

The Cubans advanced in the morning on Dos 
Caminos, which the Spanish evacuated. General 
Nario, with 6,000 Spaniards, was said to be hasten- 
ing toward Santiago from Holguin. General Shafter 
prepared to meet him. The First Illinois, Eighth 
Ohio, and First District Columbia occupied a posi- 
tion west of the city, after having made a forced 
march the day before. 



290 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Part of tbe First Division of the Second Army 
Corps, under Brigadier-General of Volunteers Guy 
V. Henry, arrived and disembarked. 

During the day the Yale came in the offing with 
more troops. The First Illinois was in a bad plight. 
It came without blankets and other necessaries, 
thinking that Cuba was an Eden. The first ques- 
tion they asked in chorus was : 
"Who won that ball game?" 
The reply shouted from the beach was : 
" You won't care when you see the twirl of a 
Mauser bullet, or a piece of railroad iron coming right 
off the Spanish battery." 

The lines of General Shafter stretched completely 
around the city, and had been reinforced by the 
arrival of fresh troops. In places the American 
lines were rather thin, but there would have been no 
difficulty in strengthening these spots had an attempt 
to make a sortie been made by the euemy. The in- 
vestment of the town was complete, and it was as 
difficult for Toral to get reinforcements as for him 
to escape from the city on the eastward. 

The firing during the morning was delayed by the 
mist, which each morning envelops the hills and 
valleys and renders operations practically useless so 
far as quick w^ork is concerned. The order of Gen- 
eral Shafter to not shoot unless there w^as something 
at which to aim was obeyed to the letter, and as a 
result there were many Spanish sharpshooters who 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 2S1 

who went to tbeir last accoimt. The slow firing 
which was indulged in was most effective, every 
missile finding the spot at which it was directed. 

The Spaniards were no doubt surprised that the 
Gatling guns were not used that day. They were 
also probably surprised at the rapid manner in which 
the American riflemen picked off their sharpshooters 
who had taken positions in trees for the purpose of 
picking off the men manning the American artillery. 
The American riflemen, from their positions in the 
trenches, emptied these trees of Spanish sharpslioot- 
ers as though they were shooting huge pieces of 
fruit from the branches. With almost every crack 
from the American trenches a Spaniard would 
plunge headlong from a tree. 

General Toral declined to surrender his forces, but 
agreed to evacuate Santiago. On the thirteenth 
General Shafter made the following report : 

" Plata, Headquarters near Santiage, July 13. — Adjutant- 
General, Washington : Your telegram saying no modifica- 
tion of orders allowed just received. Have had an interview 
of an hour and a half with General Toral, and have extended 
truce until noon to-morrow; told him that his surrender only 
will be considered, and that he was without hope of escape 
and had no right to continue the fight. I think it made a 
strong impression on him and hope for his surrender ; if he 
refuses I will open on him at 12 noon to-morrow with every 
gun I have, and have the assistance of the navy, who are 
ready to bombard the city with thirteen-inch shells. 

"Shafter." 



292 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The American commanders knew tliat delay- 
meant the destruction of their army from yellow 
fever, and anxious to avoid the great loss of life 
which an assault would incur, they urged the Span- 
ish commander to surrender. 

Durins: the afternoon, while Generals Miles and 
Shafter were in consultation a second message came 
from Toral. This caused a great deal of hope in the 
breasts of the American generals, for Toral in a meek 
way asked if the Americans could propose any 
terms of surrender which would save the pride of 
the Spanish soldiers, and spare them humiliation. 
He said that if any proposition along these lines 
were submitted it would probably be accepted, and 
he would not demand that his troops be allowed to 
march out of the city wnth their arras. 

The fact that the Spaniards had but few guns, 
while the American artillery had been greatly 
strengthened, led the American commanders to be- 
lieve that Toral had concluded to listen to reason. 
Spies from the American lines were known to have 
carried the news of the impregnable positions of the 
Americans to Toral. Then the supply of food was 
about exhausted, and nothing kept the Spaniards in 
the trenches but threats of death; in fact, threats of 
this kind had been used by the commanders all 
along. AVhen it was discovered during recent en- 
gagements that many of the sharpshooters slain in 
trees by the Americans were hanging head down- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 293 

ward, tLe matter was investigated, and it was found 
that they had been tied to the limbs of the trees in 
order that they could not desert. When shot they 
pitched forward and hung by their feet. 

When Toral's last message was received it was 
carefully considered before a reply was sent. The 
Spanish commander said that he would have to con- 
sult with Blanco and obtain the permission of the 
latter for the capitulation of the city. He stated 
that this would consume time, and he intimated that 
the extension of the period of truce would be most 
acceptable. Anxious to bring about the surrender 
of the city without further loss of life on the Amer- 
ican side, and being desirous of avoiding the slaugh- 
ter of the Spaniards in what might appear a ruthless 
manner, the American commanders concluded to 
extend the period of truce until Thursday noon, 
when, if the town was not surrendered, it would be 
taken or completely destroyed. 

One thing had been definitely settled ; there would 
be no prolonged siege. The health of the American 
troops was in jeopardy and quick action necessary. 
There were great fears of an epidemic, and there 
were already suspicious cases of fever in the hos- 
pitals. It was owing to the prevalence of these 
conditions that General Miles ordered the buildings 
of Siboney burned. 

General Shafter was hopeful that the surrender of 
the city would take place Thui'sday. This would 



294 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

give the Americans the harbor of Santiago for the 
use of the fleet and the city as a base of operations. 
The property of the foreign residents would be 
saved, the return of the 18,000 refugees who were 
on the hands of the army for maintainaiice could be 
arranged and the loss of life among the American 
troops prevented. 

On the 14th General Toral agreed to surrender 
his army and all the Eastern District, including 5,000 
square miles, on condition that his troops be returned 
to Spain at the expense of the United States gov- 
ernment. 

General Shafter reported : 

*'Have just returned from an interview with General 
Toral. He agrees to surrender upon the basis of being re- 
turned to Spain. This proposition embraces all of Eastern 
Cuba, from Aseradero on the south to Sagua on the north, 
via Palma, with practically the Fourth Army Corps. Commis- 
sioners meet this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock to definitely 
arrange the terms. W. K. Shafter, Major-General." 

General Miles on the same day made the following 
report to the Secretary of War : 

" Secretary of War: General Toral formally surrendered 
the troops of his army corps and division of Santiago on the 
terms and understanding that his troops would be returned to 

Spain. 

" General Shafter will appoint commissioners to draw up 
the conditions and arrangements for carrying out the terms 
of surrender. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 205 

" This is very gratifying, as General Shafter and the officers 
and men of his command are entitled to great credit for their 
sincerity and fortitude in overcoming the almost insuperable 
obstacles which they encountered. 

" A portion of the army has been infected with yellow 
fever. An effort will be made to separate those who are 
infected and those free from it, and to keep those who are 
still on board ship separated from those on shore. 

"Arrangements will be immediately made for carrying out 
further instructions of the President and yourself. 

" Miles.'' 

When the commissioners met to arrange the capitu- 
lation the Spaniards at once began to haggle over 
terms. They demanded that they be permitted to 
retain their arms, or that their arms be returned to 
Spain with them. It was at one time during the 
negotiations reported that the commanding officers 
favored such a scheme, but the department at Wash- 
ington opposed it. 

General Shafter dispatched the following : 

"Headquarters, Santiago, via Playa, July 15, 1898. — Ad- 
jutant-General, Washington: Sent you several telegrams 
yesterday, as did General Miles, in regard to the surrender. 
General Toral agreed yesterday positively to surrender all the 
forces under his command in Eastern Cuba upon a distinct 
understanding that they were to be sent to Spain by the 
United States; that this surrender was authorized by General 
Blanco, and that its submission to-morrow was merely formal. 

" Commissioners to arrange details were appointed — 
Wheeler, Lawton, and Miley, on the part of the United 
States. Points were immediately raised by Spanish commis- 



296 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN, 

sioners. The discussion lasted until 10 o'clock last night. 
My commissioners think the matter will be settled to-day, 
and meet at 9:30 o'clock this morning. 

"There are about 12,000 troops in the city, and about as 
many more in the surrounding district, 25,000 in all will be 
transported, 

'' General Miles was present and said the surrender was as 
absolute and complete as possible. 

" It cannot be possible that there will be failure in complete 
arrangements. Water famine in city imminent. Have 
supply cut; this was told Lieutenant Miley by English com- 
missioner. Will wire frequently when negotiations are pro- 
gressing. 

(Signed) " Shafter, Major-General Commanding." 

The Spanish commissioners proved capricious 
gentlemen to deal with, and it required such cool 
and patient men as Generals Shafter and Miles to 
brine: the delicate matter to a final settlement with- 
out further bloodshed. This was consummated and 
on the 16th General Toral sent the following com- 
munication to General Shafter : 

" Santiago de Cuba, July 16. — To his Excellency, Com- 
mander-in-chief of American forces: Excellent Sir, lam now 
authorized by my government to capitulate. I have the 
honor to so apprise you, and request that you designate the 
hour and place where my representatives shall appear to con- 
fer with those of your excellency to effect the articles of 
capitulation on the basis of what has been agreed upon to 
this date, in due time. I wish to manifest my desire to know 
the resolutions of the United States government respecting 
the return of my army, so as to note on the capitulations also 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 297 

the great courtesy of your great graces and return for their 
great generosity and impulse for the Spanish soldiers, and 
allow them to return to the peninsula with the honors the 
American army do them the honor to acknowledge as duti- 
fully descended. 

(Signed) *' Jose Toral, 

" Commanding General Fourth Army Corps. 
*'To General Shafter, Commanding American forces." 

General Sbafter cabled the following: to AVash- 

ington : 

"Plata, July 16, 1898, Adjutant-General, United States 

Army, Washington: Headquarters near Santiago, July 16. — 

The conditions of capitulation include all forces and war 

material in the described territory. 

" The United States agrees, with as little delay as possible, 
to transport all Spanish troops in the district to the Kingdom 
of Spain. The troops, as far as possible, to embark at the 
nearest garrison they now occupy. 

" Officers to retain their side arms and officers and men to 
retain their personal property. 

" The Spanish commander is authorized to take the military 
archives belonging to surrendered district. 

"All Spanish forces known as volunteers, Moirilizadves 
and guerrillas, who wish to remain in Cuba, may do so under 
parole during the present war, giving up their arms. 

"The Spanish forces will march out of Santiago with the 
honors of war, depositing their arms at a point mutually 
agreed upon, to await disposition of the United States govern- 
ment, it being understood the United States commissioners 
will recommend that the Spanish soldiers return to Spain 
with the arms they so bravely defended. 

"This leaves the question of return of arms entirely in the 
hands of the government. 



298 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

*' I invite attention to the fact that several thousand snr- 
rendered, said by General Toral to be about 12,000, against 
whom not a shot has been fired. 

"■ The return to Spain of the troops in this district amounts 
to about 24,000, according to General Toral. 

*'W. E. Shafter, Major-General." 

Secretary of War Russell A. Alger was deter- 
mined thiit the arms of the Spaniards should be 
retained by the United States, and on being informed 
that the United States would not yield that point, 
General Toral abandoned the hope and agreed to 
surrender. Shafter sent the following dispatch : 

" Camp near SANTiAGO,July 16.— The surrender has been 
definitely settled, and the arms will be turned over to-morrow 
morning, and the troops will be marched out as prisoners of 
war. The Spanish colors will be hauled down at 9 o'clock, 
and the American flag hoisted. 

(Signed) " Shafter, Major-General." 

Next morning, Sunday, July 17, 1898, the formal 
surrender was made. The Spanish troops were 
drawn up in line, and marched out of the works, and 
laid down their arms to the number of 7,000. Gen- 
eral Toral handed his sword to General Shafter, who 
at once returned it to him, and then the American 
army entered the city. 

The ceremony of hoisting the Stars and Stripes 
was worth all the blood and treasure it cost. A 
concourse of 10,000 people witnessed the stirring 
and thrilling scene that will live forever in the mintls 
of all Americans present. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 299 

A finer stage setting for a dramatic episode it 
would be diiScult to imagine. The palace, a pic- 
turesque old dwelling in the Moorish style of archi- 
tecture, faces the Plaza de la Keina, the principal 
public square. Opposite rises the imposing Catholic 
cathedral. On one side was a quaint, brilliantly- 
painted building, with broad verandas — the Club of 
San Carlos — on the other side is a building of much 
the same description — the Cafe de la Venus. 

Across the plaza was drawn up the Ninth Infan- 
try, headed by the Sixth Cavalry Band. In the 
street facing the palace stood a picked troop of the 
Second Cavalry with drawn sabers, under command 
of Captain Brett. Massed on the stone flagging, be- 
tween the band and the line of horsemen, were the 
brigade commanders of General Shafter's division, 
with their staffs. 

On the red- tiled roof of the palace stood Captain 
McKittrick, Lieutenant Miley, and Lieutenant 
Wheeler; immediately above them, upon the flag- 
staff, the illuminated Spanish arms, and the legend, 
"Viva Alfonso XIII." 

All about, pressing against the veranda rails, 
crowding to windows and doors, and lining the roofs, 
were the people of the town, principally women and 
non-combatants. 

As the chimes of the old cathedral rang out the 
hour of twelve the infantry and cavalry presented 
arms, every American uncovered, and Captain Mc- 



300 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Kittrick hoisted the Stars and Stripes. As the 
brilliant folds unfurled in a gentle breeze against a 
fleckless sky, the cavaliy band broke into the strains 
of " The Star-Spangled Banner," making the Ameri- 
can pulse leap, and the American heart throb with joy. 

At the same instant the sound of the distant 
booming of Captain Capron's battery, firing a salute 
of twenty-one guns, drifted in. When the music 
ceased, from all directions around our line came 
floating across the plaza the strains of the regimental 
bands, and the muffled, hoarse cheers of our troops. 

The infantry came to "order arras" a moment 
later after the flag was up, and the band played 
« Kally Kound the Flag, Boys." 

Instantly General McKibbeu called for three cheers 
for General Shafter, which was given with great en- 
thusiaspi, the band playing Sousa's "The Stars and 
Stripes Forever." The ceremony over, General 
Shafter and his staff returned to the American lines, 
leaving the city in the possession of the municipal 
authorities, subject to the control of General Mc- 
Kibben. 

General Shafter's official report of the surrender 
is as follows : 

''Santiago de Cuba, J^^ly 17.— Adjntant-GeneralUnited 
States Army, Washington: I have the honor to announce 
that the American flag has been this instant (13 o'clock 
noon) hoisted over the house of the civil government of the 
City of Santiago. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 301 

" An immense concourse of people were present. A squad- 
ron of cavalry and a regiment presented arms, and the band 
played national airs. A light battery fired a salute of twenty- 
one guns. 

" Perfect order is being maintained by the municipal gov- 
ernment. Distress is very great, but there is little sickness 
in the town; scarcely any yellow fever. 

"A small gunboat and about 200 seamen left by Cervera 
have surrendered to me. 

" Obstructions are being removed from the mouth of the 
harbor. 

" Upon coming into the city I discovered a perfect en- 
tanglement of defenses. Fighting as the Spaniards did the 
first day, it would have cost 5,000 lives to have taken it. 

"' Battalions of Spanish troops have been depositing arms 
since daylight in the armory, over which I have a guard. 

** General Toral formally surrendered the plaza and all 
stores at 9 A. m. 

** W. E. Shaftek, 

''Major-General." 

He also made the following report on the number 
of Spanish arms : 

*' Headquarters United States Army, Santiago, July 
17. — To Adjutant-General, Washington: My ordnance offi- 
cers report about 7,000 rifles turned in to-day, and 600,000 
cartridges. 

*'At the mouth of the river there are quite a number of 
fine modern guns, about six inch; also two batteries of 
modern guns, together with a saluting battery of fifteen 
old bronze guns. Disarming and turning in will go on to- 
morrow. List of prisoners not yet taken. 

*' Shafter, 
"Major-General Commanding/* 



302 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

There were afterward about 3,000 more Mauser 
rifles found in Santiago in addition to the artillery. 
In the whole district surrendered the prisoners num- 
bered nearly 25,000 regulars and volunteers; some of 
them, however, were armed with muzzle-loading an- 
tiquated guns. 

During the flag raising over Santiago a most dis- 
graceful scene w^as enacted. An ambitious news- 
paper correspondent had been ordered from the 
building, but refused to go. He assaulted General 
Shafter, and was placed under arrest, but instead of 
being court-martialed he was merely expelled from 
the army and sent to the States. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 303 



CHAPTER XIII. 

EXPEDITIONS SAIL FOR MANILA AT LAST DEWEy's 

TROUBLE WITH GERMAN WAR VESSELS — GENERAL 

MERRITT CAPTURE OF THE LADRONES — TROUBLE 

WITH GERMANS — THE INSURGENTS DEFIANT. 

During the exciting incidents of tlie Santiago 
campaign, and fall of the second city of Cuba, the 
great hero of the early part of the war, Commodore 
Dewey, was almost forgotten. Dewey, perhaps, was 
in the most critical situation of any soldier or sailor 
of the war. He had entered a hostile bay, had sunk 
the enemy's fleet, and captured a land battery, but 
his position was still precarious. He was surrounded 
by enemies, and even the insurgents were doubtful 
friends. They were only half-civilized, treacherous, 
unscrupulous, and unruly. 

The insurgents were made up of a motley crowd 
of Lascars, Mtilays, Spaniards, Japs, Chinamen, and 
negroes. In fact, almost every nationality was rep- 
resented among them. Their cruelty to the Spanish 
prisoners was enough to deprive them of sympathy. 
One correspondent describes the Spanish prisoners, 
some of them educated and refined, as being confined 



304 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in cages like wild beasts. They put tbeir skinny 
hands through the bars to beg for food. When they 
became too clamorous a lusty negro went among 
them with a heavy club, striking right and left, 
utterly regardless of the number of heads he broke. 

Such barbarous rascals as they proved to be 
Dewey could not conscientiously accept as allies 
to the full extent of all that is meant by the 
term. He was not slow to find that the Philippine 
insurgent was both a savage and rascal. 

Germany still continued her unpleasant relations. 
She had a small population in Manila compared to 
other nations, yet she seemed to think it essential to 
keep a large squadron of war vessels at hand to pro- 
tect her interest. While Great Britain recommended 
that the United States hold the Philippines, she was 
the only power friendly to the idea. German war- 
ships began to enter the harbor and seemingly to 
menace the fleet of Dewey. Notwithstanding the 
protestations that have since been made of friendli- 
ness by Germany, there were weeks during June and 
July that the keenest apprehensions were felt. 

While Dewey was maintaining a blockade, German 
ships on entering saluted the Spanish forts, and even 
went on shore, mingling with the Spanish soldiers 
and sailors. The expeditions which were so long 
being raised for Manila at last ])egan to assemble at 
San Francisco, under General Wesley Merritt. 

It was a long voyage of weeks across the ocean. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 305 

The cruiser Charleston, with transports City of 
Pekin, Australia, and Sidney, started on the voyage, 
touching at Honolulu, where the soldiers were 
accorded a royal welcome, were banqueted midi feted, 
and took their departure with the most heartfelt 
" aloha's !" 

The voyage was resumed with the usual monotony 
of such voyages. The soldiers and officers were 
crowded on the decks of transports. On the 20th of 
June the fleet reached the Ladrones and stood in to 
the island Guam. The Ladrones were a possession 
of Spain, and General Anderson, in command of the 
first expedition, had received sealed orders at Hono- 
lulu, which on opening, instructed him to seize the 
islands, capture the Spanish gunboat there, and 
make the governor and all his officers prisoners. 

They found nothing in Agana harbor, and the 
fleet steamed south to San Luis, Dapra Bay. 

Early on Monday morning the fleet rounded the 
northern extremity of Guam Island and headed 
southward toward the harbor, the Charleston well in 
the lead. A strong wind was blowing, and frequent 
tropical downpours obscured the landscape and made 
observation difficult. The chief town, Agana, con- 
taining the residence of the governor and the garri- 
son, lies on the north side of a coral peninsula, jutting 
far out into the ocean. The Charleston worked 
slowly in toward the town, as far as she dared go 
because of coral shoals, and when satisfied that the 



306 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

two Spanish gunboats, which wei-e supposed to be 
somewhere among these outlying islands, and which 
were one of the chief objects of her quest, were not 
there, she turned her prow seaward again and 
rounded the end of the coral spit, and passing 
through a narrow channel between the reef and a 
high bluff of volcanic basalt, she slowly pushed her 
way into the harbor of San Luis, which is the chief 
harbor of the island, and whose landing-place, Unapa, 
is about four miles across tlie peninsula from Agana. 
The three transports lay-to off the entrance beyond 
the reach of cannon shot, their ujiper decks and rig- 
ging black with crowds of soldiers eager to see the 
expected battle. Well within tlie harbor was seen 
a vessel, which under the glass proved to be a small 
brig flying the Japanese flag. It was painted white, 
and when first seen created considerable excitement, 
being mistaken for one of the Spanish gunboats. 
Near the shore on the opposite side of the bay, 
which is here about two miles wide, was seen a low 
fort, apparently built of stone and faced with earth, 
with trees growing from the embankment around it. 
When she was within about two miles of the fort 
the Charleston opened upon it with her three- 
pounders, firing thirteen shots in rapid succession, 
four of which were seen to strike the fort. Cheer 
after cheer went up from the transports as these 
shots were fired , but no answering shot being 
seen, the excitenient djed down and was followed 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 307 

by a long wait to learn what the real situation, 
was. 

It proved in some respects to be an amusing one. 
The Charleston had ceased firing because the fort 
made no reply. Its shots had only been fired for 
the purpose of unmasking the enemy, and as none 
were unmasked she waited for further developments. 
It was afterward learned that the fort was an old 
structure, built ninety years ago, of coral, and never 
had a cannon mounted in it, and had not been occu- 
pied for half a century, having been originally con- 
structed as a defense against the natives and not for 
the protection of the harbor against warships. Don 
Quixote's famous charge on the windmills had been 
eclipsed by the American navy. Soon, however, 
there were developments. Some time before the 
Charleston entered the harbor the fleet had been 
observed from the landing of Unapa, and the port 
oflScer had ordered out his gig for the purpose of 
going aboard in his capacity as quarantine official. 
In addition to this an old brass cannon had been 
loaded for the purpose of returning the expected 
salute. The port officer was about halfway out to 
the ship when the firing began, and did not notice 
that solid shot were being used. This intelligence, 
however, was speedily conveyed to the men in charge 
of the shore cannon by a horseman who had been 
riding somewhat in the rear of the fort, and was 
consequently made painfully aware that cannon balls 



308 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

were sailing in his direction. He rode post haste to 
the lauding and asked them what they were going 
to do with the cannon, and was told that tliey were 
about to answer the salute ; whereupon he remarked 
it was a queer salute that was accompanied by solid 
shot. 

This put a new phase on the matter to the Span- 
ish officials, and immediately the governor's adjutant 
embarked in a boat and hastened after the health 
officer for tlie purpose of going aboard the Charles- 
ton to inquiie the meaning of such unfriendly con- 
duct. The health officer was the first to arrive on 
board. AVhen he climbed over the side, he was 
escorted to Captain Glass' stateroom, and learned for 
the first time that the vessel he had thoughts of 
quarantining was a warship of the American navy 
intent upon capturing the island. A few minutes 
later the indignant adjutant climbed over the side, 
and to his j^rotest he received the same information. 
Pie was further told to return immediately to the 
shore and bring the governor on board. Meanwhile 
the transports were signaled to follow the Charles- 
ton into the harbor, which they quickly did, tlie 
vessels being anchored within a few hundred yards 
of each other. 

At 3 o'clock the adjutant returned on board with 
a message from the governor saying that the laws of 
Spain forbid him to go on board a foreign warship, 
and that negotiations must be conducted on shore. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 309 

Captain Glass then sent Lieutenant Braunersre liter 
with a very courteous note, stating in effect that ^^ar 
existed between the United States and Spain, tliat 
an American war vessel, with three transports loaded 
with troops, was in the harbor, with orders to take 
possession of the Island of Guam, that it was folly 
for his small force to make resistance, demandinir 
that he surrender himself, his gariison, and all arms 
and munitions of war, and giving him until morning 
to reply. When morning came and no reply having 
been received, Captain Glass sent word that he 
would give him half an hour only, and at once em- 
barked a landing party in boats for the purpose of 
taking forcible possession. This party consisted of 
about fifty marines from the Charleston, and com- 
panies A and D of the Second Oregon, from the 
Australia. A strong wind was blowing and there 
was a heavy swell in the harbor, making the em- 
barkation a slow and difficult task. The pitching 
and the tossing of the boats alongside the vessel was 
so great that a number of the men, notwithstanding 
they had been a month on board ship, became 
seasick. 

As the long string of thirteen boats started for the 
shore, some two miles distant, towed by the Charles- 
ton's launch, a tremendous downpour of rain, such 
as is only seen in the tropics, accompanied by a 
driving wind, obscured the entire landscape and wet 
the men to the skin, giving them a baptism of water 



310 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in advance of the one of fire tliey expected soon to 
receive. However, before the boats reached the 
shore the governor's gig was seen to put out from the 
landino-, waving the white flag in token of surrender, 
and the landing party was immediately taken back 
to the vessels, keenly disappointed. The goveinor's 
adjutant went on board the Charleston and delivered, 
to Captain Glass a letter from his chief, saying, in 
view of the fact that he had been utterly unaware 
that hostilities had broken out between the two 
nations, and had therefore made no preparations 
whatever for defense, and was utterly helpless before 
the overwhelming force that had been sent against 
him, and for reasons of humanity, and a desire to 
avoid needless bloodshed, he would surrender, upon 
condition that the usual treatment of prisoners of 
war be accorded him and his officers, and that his 
men be given as good quarters and fare on board 
ship as the American soldiers received. These terms 
were accepted, and a company of marines was sent 
on shore, accompanied by Lieutenant Braunersreuter, 
to receive the surrender. 

The garrison consisted of fifty-four Spanish and 
150 native soldiers, with six officers, including the 
governor. The garrison was drawn up in line at 
the landing awaiting the arrival of the marines, who 
were promptly disembarked and drawn up in line 
opposite the Spaniards. The governor and his sub- 
ordinates presented their swords to the American 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 311 

officer and took their places in the boats ; the soldiers 
stacked arms, and as the marines filed in front of 
them with boxes, each man took off his cartridge 
belt and threw it into the box. The Spanish 
soldiers were then placed in the boats and the native 
soldiers were disbanded. The captured arms con- 
sisted of fifty-four Mauser rifles, fifty-three Reming- 
ton rifles and 3,700 cartridges. As soon as for- 
mally absolved from their allegiance to Spain, the 
native soldiers cut off their buttons and all insignia 
of rank they had, and threw them away to show 
their contempt for the government which they had 
been unwillingly serving. 

The captured soldiers were conveyed to the 
steamer City of Sydney, and placed under guard, 
while the Charleston's launch steamed out to the 
ancient coral fort and raised above it the Stars and 
Stripes, the guns of the Charleston pealing forth a 
salute to the flag, thus ending the ceremony of tak- 
ing formal possession in the name of the United 
States. It being absolutely necessary that the entire 
force be conveyed to Manila for the support of 
Admiral Dewey, it was decided not to leave a 
garrison on the island. This was considered safe, 
because the natives are a very peaceable class, well 
disposed toward the Americans, and there was no 
Spanish population left after the removal of the 
garrison, except the families of the governor and one 
or two of his officers. There was but one Ameri- 



312 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

can citizen on the island of Guam, and be Avas 
selected for temporary governor. This was Thomas 
Wilson, the keeper of a trading post. Although 
born on the island, so earnest an American was he 
that he made the practice of filing an oath of allegi- 
ance to the American government in San Francisco 
every two years. The fleet sailed on the 22d of 
June for Manila where it arrived on the 30th of the 
same month. The weather was fine and the entire 
command in the best condition when it arrived. 

On the day l)efore the arrival of the fleet of trans- 
ports convoyed by the Charleston, a small Spanish 
gunboat, the Leyte, was driven from the Pampa- 
ganas River, on the north side of the bay, by the 
rebels. No sooner had she left the river than the 
McCulloch steamed toward her with her guns 
manned, and headed her off. But the Spaniards 
had had enough fighting and surrendered without a 
shot being fired. There were several Spanish 
colonels and oflicials on the Leyte and these were 
imprisoned at Cavite. 

On the 1st of July Commodore Dewey sent the 
following dispatch to Washington: 

''Cavite, July 1. — Three transports and the Charleston 
arrived yesterday. The Charleston captured Guam, Ladrone 
Islands, June 21st; no resistance; brought Spanish officers 
from garrison, six officers and fifty-four men to Manila. On 
June 29, the Spanish gun vessel Leyte came out of a river and 
surrendered to me, having exhausted ammunition and food 




IS 
Si 

W -_ 






HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 313 

in repelling attacks by insurgents. She had on board fifty- 
two officers and ninety-four men, naval and military. 

(Signed) "Dewey." 

On the same day General Anderson, who in the 
absence of General Merritt was in command, sent 
the following to the Adjutant-General at Washing- 
ton : 

" Cavalry, artillery and riding horses desirable; can get 
limited number draught animals here. 

(Signed) *' Andekson"." 

Dewey felt a great relief when the transports with 
the troops ariived. The sailors on the fleet cheered 
the newcomers until they were hoarse, and as soon 
as it could be done the troops, so long crowded on 
the transports, were taken on shore at Cavite, and 
comfortably housed. 

Several days before the arrival of the American 
forces Aguinaldo the insurgent leader issued the 
following proclamation : 

"Filipinos: The great North American nation, the 
repository of true liberty, and therefore the friend of freedom 
for our nation, oppressed and subjugated by the tyranny and 
despotism of its rulers, has come to afford to its inhabitants 
a protection as decisive as it is undoubtedly disinterested, 
regarding our unfortunate country as possessing sufficient 
civilization and aptitude for self-government, and in order 
to justify this high conception formed of ns by the great 
American nation, we ought to reprobate all such acts as 
may derogate from that conception, such as pillage, robbery 



314 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

and every class of outrage against persons and property. In 
order to avoid conflicts during the period of our campaign, 
I order as follows: 

*' Article 1. The lives and property of all foreigners shall 
be respected, including in this denomination Chinese and 
all Spanish tradesmen who have not, directly or indirectly, 
contributed to the bearing of arms against us. 

"Article 2. Equally shall be respected those of the enemy 
who shall lay down their arms. 

" Article 3, Medical establishments and ambulances shall be 
respected and persons and effects attached thereto, unless 
they display hostility. 

"Article 4. Persons disobeying these preceding articles 
shall be summarily tried and executed if their disobedience 
leads to assassination, incendiarism, robbery or rape. 

" Given at Cavite, 24th day of May, 1898. 

" Emilio Aguinaldo." 

The aggressions of the Germaus continued. The 
fleet which had been a menace to Dewey was still in 
Philippine waters. On one occasion Dewey was 
reported to have stopped a German cruisei", and it 
w^as said his decks were cleared for action. His 
advice to the German warships was to not get be- 
tween his guns and the enemy. 

An English cruiser was in the harbor at the time 
and Admiral Dewey and the British officer were in 
frequent communication. A captain of one of the 
German cruisers asked the English officer what he 
would do in the event the Germans interfered with 
Dewey^s bombarding the city. The Englishman 
made the following significant answer : 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 315 

" Admiral Dewey and I alone know what I shall 
do." 

No more interest was manifest in American circles 
over the position of Germany than in England. A 
great European war was thought to be on the eve 
of commencement. The Chinese question which had 
been agitating all Europe for years, now seemed 
about to culminate with the allied powers against 
England and America. But while some Englishmen 
were reported to have sung "Hail Columbia," and 
" Star Spangled Banner " no American was heard to 
cry, " God save the queen !" 

Early in July the following dispatch came from 
London : 

" Developments of high international import may 
be expected in the Philippines within the next few 
weeks. Information received from a leader in 
diplomatic circles is to the effect that the unprece- 
dented action of Germany in marshaling her whole 
Eastern squadron in Manila is the prelude to a 
decisive step. 

"The informant says that a decision already has 
been arrived at in Berlin to occupy one of the 
Philippine Islands as a coaling station in the far 
East, which the Kaiser said recently was vital to 
Germany's position as a great power. The further 
decision as to exactly which island shall be occupied 
and the exact day of the occupation awaits Prince 
Henry's arrival at Manila, whither he is now bound, 



316 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

but at most it will be only a question of weeks. 
Subsequent inquiries in other well-informed quarters 
indicate that Germanj-'s establishment of a coaling 
station at the Philippines is confidently expected in 
German diplomatic quarters here. 

" The British government can hardly be unaware 
of these German diplomatic expectations, supported 
as they are by naval preparations. The question of 
pressing moment is, what does England and Amer- 
ica mean to do when Germany shows her hand ? 

" The Kaiser's preparation to land German troops 
at Delagoa Bay, ostensibly to protect German inter- 
ests in the Transvaal, provoked England immedi- 
ately to create a flying squadron. As President 
Krlififer said, 'The old woman at Windsor sneezed, 
and where was Germany then V But strong pro- 
German pressure has been brought to bear on the 
foreign office of late in connection with the large 
British minins; concessions in the Shan-See Province 
of China. Russia having, through a Belgian syndi- 
cate secured the Pekin-Hankow Railway concession, 
has shut Shan-See out from its natural outlet via 
the Yang-tse-Kiang River, and the British capitalists, 
therefore, are anxious to join hands with Germany 
to secure an outlet via the German Province of Shan 
Tung." 

On July 6th the insurgent chief reported that the 
German warship Irene, in Subig Bay, refused to per- 
mit him to attack the Spaniards on Grande Island. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 317 

Rear-Adniiral Dewey promptly dispatched the 
Raleigh and Concord to investigate the matter. On 
entering Subig Bay the Raleigh opened fire on the 
forts, whereupon the Irene slipj)ed her cable and 
steamed out by the other channel. The result of the 
fire of the American warship was that the Spaniards 
numbering 1,300 men, surrendered everything. 
On returning to Manila, the commander of the Irene 
stated that he interfered "in the cause of humanity," 
and offered to hand over to the Americans the refu- 
gees he had on board, but Admiral Dewey declined 
to accept them. 

Augusti, the Spanish governor-general, issued a 
proclamation i^roinising to grant autonomy to the 
islands, and offering the insurgents inducements to 
join the Spanish forces. General Aguinaldo, the 
insurgent leader, in reply said the overtures of the 
Spanish commander came too late. 

Up to the 10th of July the action of the German 
war vessels was regaided with considerable alarm in 
Manila Bay, notwithstanding the protestations of 
friendship on the part of the German ambassador at 
Washington, as is shown by the following report 
from a newsj^aper correspondent at Cavite : 

"Cavite, July 10.— The action of the Germans in 
Manila Bay has been causing much interest there. 
Reports are constantly afloat that they are assisting 
the Spaniards by landing flour and other supplies, 
sod deserters from Manila tell of seeing German ofll- 



318 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

cers in tbe Spanisli trenches. The Germans have 
not been careful in their observation of the naval 
courtesies required by the situation, and have given 
Admiral Dewey not a little annoyance. 

"According to Admiral Dewey's i-egulations no 
boats are permitted to move about the bay after 
dark. Several times the Germans have disregarded 
this regulation, and their launches have been stopped 
by American ships upon some occasions. One night 
a German launch was kept under a searchlight for 
over an hour. Admiral Dewey then sent word to 
the German boat that he regretted the necessity of 
his action, and asked that there be no movement 
of vessels in the bay at night without his knowledge. 

"The German ships have been dividing their time 
between their anchorage with the other foreign war- 
ships off Manila and Meriveles, a small bay opposite 
Corregidor Island. The Spaniai'ds have been forti- 
fying Grande Island in Subig Bay. On July 8th 
Dewey captured the island, together with Spanish 
prisoners and arms. The Spaniards surrendered 
without a fight and were turned over to the insur- 
gents. The Concord and Kaleigh are still in Subig 
Bay. 

" The insurgents are not making much progress m 
the direction of Manila. Desultory fighting is kept 
up continuously in the trenches around the city. 
The insurgents are getting old smooth-bore cannon 
from the Cavite arsenal and dragging them to their 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 319 

lines. They expect to make a general advance all 
along the line to-day. The Spaniards fire a great 
many volleys, but do very little execution and waste 
a good deal of ammunition. 

"Chief Aguinaldo's naval force of merchant steam- 
ers has been increased by the Filippiuos, a large 
Spanish steamship, which had lain hidden in a creek 
in the north of Subig Bay since war was declared. 
On Sunday, July 3d, the crew mutinied, killed the 
four Spanish officers and captured the vessel, turning 
her over to the rebels. 

"Grande Island, ^vith the exception of Manila, is 
the chief harbor of the island of Luzon, and also the 
chief harbor in the Philippines. This victory gives 
the Americans control of Subig Bay, a great strate- 
getic point, and frustrates the Spanish plans to 
prolong their dominion in the Philippines. 

" The blockade has been made more rigid. 

" The Esmeralda arrived yesterday with passengers 
but she was stopped and ordered to proceed to sea, 
which she lost no time in doing. The Calgua, with 
a cargo of fresh beef from Australia, has arrived, also 
an Austrian cruiser, the Frundsberg. 

"The Americans and the insurgents are acting inde- 
pendently, both conducting their own operations and 
hoping to evolve an agreement afterward. 

" The extent and duration of General Aguinaldo's 
influence is uncertain, but it is certain that the Mo- 
hammedans of the South Archipelago ignore him, 



320 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

and the iusurgents of the island of Luzon and other 
regions are content to use Aguinaklo until the Span- 
iards are expelled, when there will be a state of 
chaos unless a strong force of Americans assumes 
control of the islands. 

" The secret Katipunan Society, which was chiefly 
instrumental in organizing the campaign, is not fitted, 
it is said, to assist in administering the government 
of the Philippines. 

"The Americans are postponing operations until 
they are fully prepared for any contingency. The 
natives are proving intractable. A lai-ge force of 
Americans is expected here shortly, which would 
enable them to effectively control the whole of the 
Philippine Islands. 

"In the meantime there are differences between the 
insui'irent chiefs and Ac^uinaldo. The latter is 
reported to be aware that he cannot capture Manila 
without the Americans, but a majority of his follow- 
ers are confident that he can. In any case they con. 
sider that he should attain a position which would 
enable him to make the best terms possible with the 
Americans. Accordingly the insurgents have aban- 
doned their attitude of inaction, and have arranged 
for further revolts on the part of the hitherto loyal 
natives. 

"The Americans are drilling persistently and prom- 
ise to make splendid fighters when the time arrives 
for them to take the field against the Spaniards, 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 331 

" It is reported that Antachio and four other North- 
ern Philippine leaders, wlio supported Aguinaldo 
during the last insurrection, until they quarreled, it 
is alleged; over sharing the plunder, \vhen the Span- 
iards are said to have bribed thei-n to leave the 
country, have now returned from Hong Kong, desir- 
ing to rejoin Aguinaldo, '3ut have been imprisoned 
and charged with treachery. It is believed they 
will be shot. If this turns out to be the case it is 
liable to alienate the insurgents of the northern 
islands, who are the best fighters." 

Having proclaimed himself president or dictator 
of the Philippines, Aguinaldo grew daily more defiant 
until Rear-Admiral Dewey reported that it would, 
take a considerable army to secure control of the 
Philippines. Some estimated the number of men 
necessary at 150,000. Meanwhile the bombardment 
of Manila was postponed until the arrival of Gen- 
eral Merritt, when it was the intention to commence 
operations both by land and water, with very little 
hope of aid from the natives. 



322 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

CONDITIONS ABOUT SANTIAGO GAKCIA INDIGNANT 

HIS LETTER TO SH AFTER EXAMINATION OF FORTS 

AND SLIGHT DAMAGE — AMERICAN AND SPANISH 
SOLDIERS FRATERNIZING. 

After the surrender of Santiago to General Shaf- 
ter, and the raising of the American flag over the 
governor's palace and all public buildings, the Span- 
iards became very meek. The Spanish prisoners 
and citizens who were not under parole were con- 
stantly seen hobnobbing with the American soldiers, 
begging hardtack and cigars. 

One of the incidents of the surrender was the 
banquet wliich was given by the Spaniards to Gen- 
eral Shaf ter. There was a quantity of wine, but it 
was noticeable that there was an absence of many of 
the things which go to make an occasion of this kind 
a success. This was due to the lack of provisions in 
the city, and demonstrated the fact that the city 
could not have held out much longer. 

In truth, starvation forced the Spaniards into sur- 
render more than fear of death by the bullets or 
bayonets of the Americans. 

The capture of Santiago was marred by the ill- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 323 

feeling of the Cubans. When Toral surrendered it 
was to the United States forces, and not to the allied 
forces of Shafter and Garcia. The Cubans had 
evinced a desire to kill Spaniards after surrender, 
having fired on Cervera's men after their vessels had 
sunk and they were trying to swim ashore. This 
was given as one excuse for not permitting them to 
enter the city. But the real excuse was that, while 
the American army had accepted their services, the 
President and American Cono-ress had failed to 
recognize their government, and, legally, Garcia's 
forces were only an unauthorized body. It was hard 
on the brave Cubans who resided in Santiago, 
after fighting so long for their liberties, to not be 
permitted to return to their own homes. Instead 
they saw the same enemies whom they had fought 
and helped conquer retained in ofiScial positions. 

But General Shafter cannot be blamed. If there 
was a wrong done it w^as at Washington, when the 
President and Congress stubbornly refused to recog- 
nize the Cubans as a government. Shafter simpl}^ 
followed out the policy and obeyed the orders of his 
superior ofiScers, and so long as he did that he was 
above criticism. Garcia was personally invited to 
be present at the American flag-raising over the 
conquered city, but if he could not participate in an 
official capacity he determined not to be jiresent at 
all ; so with his forces he retired to the mountains, 
and all efforts to conciliate him were in vain, A few 



324 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

days after leaving Santiago he was reported to have 
been killed by some of the Spanish guerrillas in the 
mountains, but this proved false. 

From his camp in the hills Garcia dictated a letter 
to General Shafter, Avhich in bitter terms laid the 
wliole cause of his complaint before the general, and 
illustrated the necessity of the keenest sagacity in 
even the smallest beginning of an international en- 
tanglement. The ill-feeling among the Cubans as 
the result of the orders of General Shafter grew rap- 
idly, finally culminating in the letter published by 
Garcia. The rupture between Garcia and Shafter 
was of a most serious nature. When the Cuban 
general lost his temper he at once withdrew by the 
Jiguani road. Garcia was greatly in earnest. AVhen 
he had reached the camp in the hills he called his 
officers tosether and there was a hurried consulta- 
tion. He then tendered his resignation as com- 
mander of the Cuban forces in the East to General 
Gomez, the commander-in-chief in the entire insur- 
gent army. In order that the action of Garcia might 
be made known as early as possible to Gomez, a 
special courier was dispatched to the other com- 
manders with his resignation. 

At the same time Garcia sent General Shafter his 
letter, which caused greater consternation than all 
the bombs the enemy had fired during the storming 
of San Juan heights. The following is the text of 
the letter ; 



HISTORY OP^ THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 325 

*'Sik: On May 12th the government of the Republic of 
the Cuban Army in the East ordered me to co-operate with 
the American army, following the plans and obeying the 
orders of its commander. I have done my best, sir, to fulfill 
the wislies of my government, and I have been until now one 
of your most faithful subordinates, honoring myself in carry- 
ing out your orders and instructions as far as my powers have 
allowed me to do it. 

"The city of Santiago surrendered to the American army, 
and news of that important event was given me by persons 
entirely foreign to your staff. I have not been honored with 
a single word from yourself informing me about the negotia- 
tions for peace nor the terms of capitulation by the Spaniards. 
The important ceremony of the surrender of the Spanish 
army and the taking possession of the city by yourself took 
place later on, and I only knew of both events by public 
reports. 

" I was never honored, sir, with a kind word from you, 
inviting myself or any officer of my staff to represent the 
Cuban army on that memorable occasion. 

** Finally, I know that you have left in power at Santiago 
the same Spanish authorities that for three years I have 
fought as enemies of the independence of Cuba. I beg to 
state that these authorities have never been elected at Santi- 
ago by the residents of the city, but were appointed by royal 
decrees of the Queen of Spain. 

"1 would have agreed, sir, that the army under your com- 
mand should have taken possession of the city, the garrison, 
and the forts. I would have given my warm co-operation to 
any measure you might have deemed best under American 
military law to hold the city for your army and to preserve 
public order until the time comes to fulfill the solemn pledge 
of the people of the Cnited States to establish in Cuba a free 
and independent government ; but when the question arises 



326 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

of appointing authorities in Santiago de Cuba, under the 
peculiar circumstances of our thirty years' strife against the 
Spanish rule, I cannot see but with the deepest regret that 
such authorities are not elected by the Cuban people, but are 
the same ones selected by the Queen of Spain, and hence are 
ministers to defend against the Cubans the Spanish sov- 
ereignty. 

"A rumor too absurd to be believed, general, ascribes the 
reason of your measures and of the orders forbidding my army 
to enter Santiago to fear of massacres and revenges against 
the Spaniards. Allow me, sir, to protest against even the 
shadow of such an idea. We are not savages, ignoring the 
rules of civilized warfare. We are a poor, ragged army, as 
ragged and as poor as was the army of your forefathers in 
their noble war for independence, but, as did the heroes of 
Saratoga and Yorktown, we respect too deeply our cause to 
disgrace it with barbarism and cowardice. 

*' In view of all these reasons I sincerely regret to be unable 
to fulfill any longer the orders of my government, and there- 
fore I have tendered to-day to the commander-in-chief of the 
Cuban army, Major-General Maximo Gomez, my resignation 
as commander of this section of our army. 

"Awaiting his resolution, I withdraw my forces to the 
interior. Very respectfully yours, 

"Calixto Garcia." 

It was afterward asserted by the press, which 
attempted to smooth the matter over, that the letter 
was written by a newspaper correspondent in Garcia's 
army. Even if such was the fact it was evidently 
done at the suggestion of Garcia, and no one can 
deny the indignation of the Cuban patriot. Though 
the Cubans were a ragged, half-starved band, who 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. S21 

had fought for years for their liberties, our Revolu- 
tionary fathers were the same, and if it had been 
possible, their rights should have been respected. 
It was one of those hard cases which so often con- 
fronts a soldier, where duty is cruelty. 

Those who sought to smooth over mistakes at 
headquarters sought to belittle the services of the 
Cuban soldiers by asserting that they refused to aid 
in building military roads and transferring the artil- 
lery, when in reality the Cubans were so weakened 
by hardships and privations that they were unable 
to do much military work. 

General Palma, President of the Cuban Junta, at 
first doubted the stories of friction between the 
Cuban soldiers and the Americans. He said : 

"I think all Cubans recognize the nice work of 
the United States in helping the Cubans to attain 
their independence. I cannot think any regular sol- 
diers of the Cuban army ^vould have refused to help 
build roads, dig trenches, or do whatever may have 
been required of them. I do not, of course,know what 
some few scattered soldiers may have done, but it is 
not reasonable to suppose that any of the regulars 
under Garcia have declined to perform such service. 
General Garcia, from the beginning, said he was 
ready to do all that was necessary to aid the Amer- 
icans, and his soldiers have for years been doing just 
such work. They have grown accustomed to it." 

Although General Shafter had been aware for 



32S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

some time that the Cubans were dissatisfied with the 
conditions, and that some of the officers were dis- 
posed to openly protest, the letter of Garcia came to 
him as something of a surprise. He at once an- 
nounced that the communication of the Cuban com- 
mander would be formally answered, but he gave no 
indication as to what the nature of his reply would 
be. It was known, however, that the American 
commander had no intention of modifying or 
changing in any way his original orders to the effect 
that no Cubans and but few Americans should enter 
the city of Santiago until the last Spaniard was 
deported, when the place, it was said, would be 
turned over to representative and responsible Cubans. 

General Shafter had his share of trouble with the 
different commanders. Following his differences 
with Admiral Sampson concerning the advisability 
of forcing the harbor, just before the capitulation of 
Santiago, he had had a dispute as to the disposition 
of the Spanish gunboat, Alvarado, which was seized 
in the harbor. That matter was settled, and the 
boat went to the fleet of Sampson, and other prizes, 
with prize crews on board, sent to the United States 
to be disposed of there. 

In connection with misunderstandings among the 
commanders, the trouble between Sampson and 
Miles caused some comment. It was reported that 
the naval commander opposed certain wishes of the 
Commander-in-chief of the American army, and that 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 3!^''.) 

some fricticm resulted. It was said that General 
Miles bad been most anxious to get away for Porto 
Rico, but had been held back owing to the delays of 
Sampson in deciding what ships to send as convoys 
to the transports conveying the troops. It was 
learned that these differences subsequently had been 
settled and that the expedition would get away as 
soon as practicable. There were twelve and pos- 
sibly more transports at Guantanamo Bay, and they 
w^ere to be joined by more from the United 
States before they proceeded far from the Cuban 
coast. 

The streets of Santiago were patrolled by United 
States soldiers. The American flag proudly floated 
over the palace, and over old Morro at the chaimel 
entrance. There was the best of order in the city, 
and no reason to believe that General McKibbin, 
who was in charge, would have the least trouble. 
The work of disarming the Spanish prisoners was 
continued. The armory was filled with their sur- 
rendered arms, which were housed ^vith thousands 
of rounds of ammunition. The troops which pa- 
trolled the streets of the city were from the Twenty- 
fifth Infantry. A troop of cavalry was also doijig 
patrol duty, and with the infantry had charge of the 
fortifications. 

The Red Cross Society steamer, State of Texas, 
entered the harbor, but no warships for three or four 
days arrived there, despite the fact that all of the 



330 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

mines had been removed under the direction of Lieu- 
tenant Hobson. 

One of the interesting features of the surrender 
was the sailing out of the gunboat Alvarado just 
before the State of Texas entered. The Alvarado 
was the Spanish craft which had been in tlie harbor 
since a few days before the arrival of the fleet of 
Cervera. When the city surrendered she was in the 
bay flying the Spanish flag. It was but a short time 
before an American prize crew was placed on boai-d 
her,her yellow and black ensign was hauled down, and 
then she steamed out of the harbor flying the Ameri- 
can flag. Immediately afterward the State of Texas, 
with Miss Clara Barton on board, steamed in. The 
Red Cross ship caiTied a large quantity of supplies 
used for the alleviation of the distress of the Cubans 
and Spaniards alike. 

In addition to the gunboat the twelve ships which 
were lying in the harbor were seized by the Ameri- 
cans. 

On July 18th it was reported that the Spanish 
cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa had floated, and there 
were excellent prospects for saving her along with 
the Cristobal Colon. If this could be done the 
United States navy would have two formidable 
ships to add to one of its fleets. It was thought 
nothing could be done to save the Vizcaya or the 
Almirante Oquendo, they having been hopelessly 
riddled. They were both in the bay of Havana 



I 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 331 

when the board of inquiry which was investigating 
the Maine disaster was in session. When the 
inquiry ended they hurriedly sailed for Porto Rico, 
and thence for home, under instructions. It was 
evident that even then Spain was preparing for the 
fate which had overtaken her. 

General Shafter had been spending considerable 
time at the palace of the Governor of Santiago with 
General McKibbin. Every precaution was taken to 
preserve order among the inhabitants, which now 
comprised Americans, Cubans and Spaniards. As 
soon as the Spaniards deposited tbeir guns in the 
armory they were given the freedom of the city 
under parole, and evidently appreciated the change 
in their condition. 

They came in from all directions, and there was a 
constant stream of them marching to the armory to 
lay down their arms. Many from outside the city 
had been informed of the surrender, and were losing 
no time in complying with the provisions of its 
terms. There were a large number of Spanish 
soldiers in the barracks. General Toral bowed to 
the inevitable with good grace, and General Lin- 
ares nursed his wounds and his chagrin at the 
same time. 

There was no excessive celebration of victory. 
All cafes were closed at night, for the authorities 
were anxious that nothing should mar the good 
impression made by the orderly manner in which 



332 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the city was transferred from Spanisli to American 
rule. 

Soon after the surrender the Spanish and Ameri- 
can ti'oops began to patronize places where intoxicat- 
ino" liquors were sold, drinking toasts to each other 
from well-filled glasses ; but the authorities in power 
deemed it best to restrain this exchange of joyous- 
ness by victors and vanquished, and the saloons were 
closed and sale of liquors checked if not stopped. 
Stores for the sale of food and clothing were opened 
and tlie Americans became the best customers. 

Their uniforms were ruined by tlieir march, and 
days and nights in mud, rain, and ditches, this 
was the first opportunity they had had to procure 
clothinj: since landins^ on Cuban soil, and the dealers 
in "gent's furnishing goods" did a thriving business. 

The food problem w^as partially solved when the 
harbor was cleared of mines, and transports entered, 
were docked, and began to unload their cargoes of 
provisions, greatly simplifying the work of the com- 
missary department, which was no longer compelled 
to transport supplies over difficult mountain trails, 
and ditches worn by the recent rains. 

Severa-l merchant vessels were prevented from dis- 
charging their cargoes on account of the exacting 
demands of the Spanish revenue officials, who tried 
to collect from them. The owners refused to pay 
duty on the ground that the rule was abrogated in 
the part of the island surrendered to the United 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 333 

States, and that no other legitimate taxation had yet 
been established. They also held that the goods 
were not dutiable, because they were shipped from 
the United States. A delegation of American mer- 
chants to whom cargoes of food were consigned laid 
the matter before General Shafter, and after some 
consideration of the matter it was temporarily ar- 
ranged. 

Food was enormously high in Santiago. On the 
day of the capitulation a very simple luncheon for four 
newspaper correspondents cost sixteen dollars. The 
American officers and news[)aper men w ho had been 
without decent food for weeks eagerly purchased all 
that Cafe Lavenua offered at any price. The supply 
of the establishment was exhausted, and it could not 
be replenished until the vessels laden with food for 
sale had been permitted to unload their cargt)es. 

Santiago was still depending upon wells and cis- 
terns for her water supply. The supply from out- 
side the city was cut off. Engineers were sent to 
repair the pipes, which were broken by the Ameri- 
can troops in order to divert the water supply, and 
in a iew days the supply was restored. 

Most of the citizens of Santiago seemed delighted 
with American rule. Exceedingly cordial relatic^is 
existed bet^veen the officers and the soldiers of both 
armies. They met and fraternized in the cafes. The 
places were filled with groups invariably composed 
of wearers of both uniforms, chatting and exchang- 



334 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

ing reminiscences of tlie recent unpleasantness. 
Many Spanish and American officers exchanged 
swords as remembrances of the campaign. 

One Spanish general remarked that he felt no 
sense of humiliation in surrendering to an American 
army. 

"Your people," he said, ''are brave and generous 
foes. AVe can yield to you without disgrace, but 
we would rather have left our bones in Cuba than 
to have made terms with the native Cubans. 
We are entirely satisfied with the treatment we have 
received at the hands of American officers. Defeat 
has left no malice in our hearts." 

As soon as the Americans were in possession of 
Santiago and harbor, officials began an examination 
to see what effect the bombardment had had on the 
earthworks. The newspapers had demolished Morro 
Castle daily for several weeks, but somehow old 
Morro would bob up serenely next morning, and 
send a shot from her antiquated guns at Sampson's 
fleet which hurled ten tons of iron at a broadside. 
Then from the reports of what the Vesuvius, that 
dynamite cruiser, had done, one would have thought 
that not a mountain was left standing in Cuba, but 
an official examination discovered the wonderful fer- 
tility of the average new^spaper correspondent's 
imagination. 

A party of naval officers, anxious to see the effect 
of the four or five bombardments of the defenses of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 335 

the harbor by the fleet under Admiral Sampson, 
made a twa days' tour of the batteries, finishing 
their work July 19th. One of them made the fol- 
lowing statement : 

"Over $2,000,000 worth of ammunition thrown at 
the batteries defending Santiago harbor was abso- 
lutely harmless in its effect, so far as the reducing 
of the batteries was concerned, and, while it may 
have given the Spaniards a wholesome respect for 
us, simply bore out the well-known fact that it is a 
waste of time and money to bombard earthworks." 

Entering the harbor on a steam launch, the party 
made a close inspection of the cruiser Reiiia Mer- 
cedes, sunk in the harbor the night of July 4th, the 
day after Schley and Sampson sunk Cervera's fleet. 
The Reina Mercedes lay on her starboard side, about 
half under water. The majority of her large^ guns 
had been taken ashore, but her rapid-fire guns were 
left, and torpedoes were in her tubes. She was not 
in the channel, and the reason for this is very appar- 
ent. She had at least five big shell holes in her 
from the Massachusetts and tlie Texas, and the way 
they were placed was a s[)lendid tribute to the fine 
gunnery of those two battleships, which had to fire 
up the narrow harbor mouth in the dark, or with 
the light of the Massachusetts' searchlight. 

Arriving on the hilltop the party proceeded at 
once to the eastern battery, where a great surprise 
awaited them. This was the battery close to Morro 



336 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

wbicli the commander of the Suwanee had reported 
to Admiral Sampson as containing several very 
dangerous large modern guns, and against which 
Admiral Sampson had four times massed the flower 
of the fleet, the New York, Oregon, Scorpion, Massa- 
chusetts, and Gloucester, and sometimes the Indiana. 
In rudely constructed earthworks, but with excellent 
and deep runways for the gunners to bring ammuni- 
tion along or run for shelter, were four nuizzle-load- 
inn- bronze cannon and two cast-iron eisrht-inch 
mortars. They w^ere brave men who stood upon the 
parapets to load these cannon and mortal's, and 
under a heavy Are it is not wonderful that they did 
not answer with much celerity. The cannon are 
very handsome old pieces, cast in 1737 and named 
after prominent Spaniards. 

Although our fleet had bombarded this place three 
times and the New Orleans once, there was little or 
no damage done, excei)t the dismounting of an old 
gun, the destruction of the lighthouse and a small 
frame house near. The damage was all done by the 
dynamite shells of the Vesuvius. A shell had 
lauded between the house and the lighthouse and 
had torn a great hole, completely demolishing the 
house, leaving but a pile of debris^ and tore out the 
side of the lighthouse. The gun nearby had evi- 
dently been wrecked by the concussion. Large 
quantities of broken American shells could be found 
about, and quite a number of big shells that had not 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 337 

exploded were gathered up and put together. The 
majority of the shells landed in the earthworks just 
below the crest of the hill, showing that the Ameri- 
cans fought well, but outside of plowing up the 
earth there was no result. 

The second day was devoted to an inspection of 
the western battery, \vhich had mainly been attended 
to by the Brooklyn, Texas and Yixen, with occa- 
sional assistance from the Suwanee. AVhile these 
ships did no more damage to the earthworks on the 
west than did the other ships on the east, it was 
quite apparent where the vigorous answers came 
from, one of which hit and killed a man on the 
Texas and wounded many, and kejit up a fusillade 
against the Brooklyn. 

The earthworks of this battery were very similar 
to those of the east, but there were two six-inch and 
four ten-inch Hontoria rifles, with breech-loading 
mechanism and steel shields. The guns were easily 
trained and very formidable. Tiiey were supposed 
to be part of the main battery of the Keina Mer- 
cedes, and, it was believed, were manned b}' sailors. 
There were also two large mortars, similar to those 
on the eastern battery. There was over three hun- 
dred rounds of ammunition for the big modern guns. 
Just below the battery on the hillside was a twelve 
pounder rapid-fire gun with plenty of ammunition 
for it. 

Punto Gordo, directly to the north of this western 



338 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

battery, bad two large ship guns, which, in addition 
to firing in the harbor, could fire directly over the 
western battery at the ships. 

The non-effect of the bombardments is not sur- 
prising nor unprecedented, for in every war for the 
past two centuries it lias been demonstrated that 
ships' guns cannot effectually destroy earthworks, 
unless in conjunction with an armed land force. 
Three of the four bombardments of the land batteries 
on Santiago heights took place before the army came, 
and, if successful, would not have forced an opening 
as long as the mines were in the harbor. 

On the 24th of July a newspaper correspondent 
wrote the followinoj of old Morro for the Chica2;o 
Times-Herald : 

" El Morro, built on the rocks and of the rocks, is 
rich in moats and frowning battlements, drawbridges 
and subterranean passages, dungeons and other 
reminders of the age of helmets and rapiers. More- 
over, it is surrounded by a confused mass of barbed- 
wire fencing, recently erected to keep out the Amer- 
ican soldiers and marines. It is now deserted and 
as silent as the flight of the vultures that wing their 
way over its summit. 

" At its base the blue sea breaks in flashes of 
foam, and the ocean breeze is cool in the shadow of 
its walls. One searches long through Morro's pas- 
sages and over the roofs that even the lizards forsake 
during the noonday heat for signs of the guns that 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 339 

are said to Lave replied so valiantly to the fire of the 
American fleet. On the top battlement one finds 
several small mortars, made of bronze and cast in 
Spain \n the early part of the seventeenth century. 
These are curiously carved. Snarling dragons form 
their fanciful handles. 

" On the same roof are two mounted cannon of 
bronze, about fourteen feet long, one of them bear- 
ing on its surface and intermingled with carved coats 
of arms, Jlezir de lis and decorations whose signifi- 
cance it is hard to comprehend, the following inscrip- 
tion : 

" * Mars ultima ratio rogum. Louis Charles de 
Bourhon, Comte d'Eii^ Due d' jEwmale, nee pluri- 
bus impar 12 tfuin, 174-8. Jean Maritz.'' 

" The other cannon, bearing similar inscriptions, 
is dedicated to the Comte de Provence and was cast 
a few days before. Both are on flimsy wheels, and 
probably have not been fired for years. The old- 
fashioned mortars show signs of having been shotted 
and handled, and balls for their gaping throats are 
scattered about. 

" Search the castle over and you will find several 
more muzzle-loading guns of a bygone age, un- 
mounted, their rusty mouths pointed helplessly 
against the castle's battlements. And this is El 
Morro's complete armament to-day. 

" Through the bare cliambers are scattered some 
signs of the recent presence of the Spanish soldiery 



340 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

— old tin cans, tattered clothing, straw hats and for- 
lorn contrivances for cooking. The bare white walls 
of one room have been decorated by a soldier artist 
of no mean talent, and they speak of tedious hours. 
The steps that lead from bastion to turret are crum- 
bling and worn, the doors to strange apartments 
hang open, and the old Spanish castle alive with the 
interest and dignity of past ages, protests mutely 
af^ainst the invader and the modern conqueror. 

" The southeast bastion that formerly upheld the 
Spanish flag was knocked into the dust by the shot 
that carried down the banner. There are signs of 
shots that have pecked at the solid walls; a shell 
carried away the drawbridge and broke through the 
main entrance, but otherwise El Morro bears no 
noticeable evidence of bombardment. 

"A few hundred yards to the east — and still on the 
height — is the eastern battery. Between it and the 
castle are some low red-tiled houses, formerly used 
as quarters for the garrison of the fort. Here also 
stood the lighthouse that marked the harbor entrance, 
now shattered and twisted by the fire from the 
American ships, for which it doubtless offered an 
excellent target. The eastern battery is of earth ; 
barrels of cement and sacks of dirt protect the guns. 
Here are two small fieldpieces, made in Sevilla in 
1873, and the ground is plentifully strewn with un- 
used ammunition, scattered in and out of the ammu- 
nition boxes as these were hurriedly opened. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 341 

"Here also are five bronze muzzle-loading cannon, 
bearing dates of their casting as follows: 1768, 1718, 
1783, and 1769. These, however, are mounted on 
modern iron carriages, and they have been used. A 
small house just behind the earthworks is still full 
of bags of cube powder and conical bullets. Just 
down the hill on the land side are the recently 
occupied quarters of the Spanish troops. 

" One of these bronze cannon of the past century 
was dismounted by a shot from the fleet. The car- 
riage was wrecked, and now lies half-buried in the 
earth, but the gun appears to be uninjured, and may 
still grace some American park, an object of interest 
to Sunday visitors. This is the only visible damage 
done. There are signs of hurried departure on all 
sides, but the four old muzzle-loaders poke up their 
noses as defiantly as ever. 

"At this battery there are also two mortars, evi- 
dently of modern make, and the fact that a similar 
gun is lying unmounted at the door of the road 
which leads up to the fortifications shows that these 
arms had been recently landed. All along the road 
from the dock, in the sheltered cove behind the old 
fortress, up to the castle entrance, are broken and 
half-filled boxes of rifle ammunition and cartridges, 
with brass-coated bullets, going to show that thes^- 
projectiles, which itiflict a poisoned wound, w^■re 
used by the Spaniards. 

" The Zocapa battery is on the western side of the 



342 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

mouth of the harbor. It is about the same height 
as the eastern battery, though a little further back 
from the sea line than the fortifications just described. 
Here are the two modern sixteen-centimeter rifles 
which our men wanted to capture and to turn against 
Santiago, and which were among the most active in 
replying to the American fire. Here also are three 
thirty-two-centimeter mortars similar to those at tlie 
eastern battery, and a broad road through the woods 
and up the hillside shows where these heavy guns 
passed to their positions, for this earth battery was 
constructed after the war began. 

" Barrels and earth-filled sacks protected the men 
at the mortars, while those who worked the rifles 
were behind many feet of hard cement in square 
blocks, banked on the outside by a sloping mass of 
earth and small stones. The carrias^e of the eastern- 
most sixteen-centimeter rifle was struck and very 
slightly damaged. Here the hill shows some signs 
of fire. Shells have plowed up the earth and cleared 
out the trees, and the ground is covered with bits of 
shells that have torn throus^h the underbrush. 

''Just behind this battery. El Zocapa, on a small 
island inside the harbor mouth and in full sight of 
Morro Castle, nestles a fishing village that for weeks 
has been deserted. Now its people are beginning 
to return to their homes to find them, not torn by 
schrapnel and shell, as they had expected, but, 
strangely enough, almost all intact. This little 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH St^AlN. 343 

hamlet was protected from the shots that skimmed 
over the Zocapa battery because it is so close to the 
hill where the battery is situated. It seems to have 
been entirely out of range of other fires. 

"Men who were around the harbor during the firing 
have many tales to tell. They tell of a certain ball 
that swept the forward deck of the Infanta Maria 
Teresa when she was hiding behind a headland in 
the bay, killing a number of sailors and the second 
commander of the vessel, then passing through the 
ship's paint room, scattering color all over the cattle 
on the lower deck, and saving the ship's butcher his 
labor on five of his charges. 

"There is, too, a local tale of how Cervera advised 
Linares, telling him his case was hopeless, and that 
he would only continue to lose men and be forced to 
give in at the end. 

"As the Infanta Maria Teresa steamed through 
the narrows to her fate, the gossips say her band 
played and her crew cheered for the honor of old 
Spain. The music sounded clear in Morro, and hope 
leaped in the hearts of the w\itching officers there as 
they heard the stirring strains. 

" Then there is a story that the Spaniards carried 
their wounded from the batteries into the city hos- 
pitals during the night in order that the people and 
the army might be kept in ignorance of their losses. 
And another story that the broken and destroyed 
guns were thrown into the harbor under cover of 



344 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

darkness with the same misleading purpose. And 
there is yet another that a shot killed six men at a 
gun during the firing of June 5th, and of the mid- 
night burial of gun and men behind the very trenches 
where the gun was shattered. 

" The harbor people are coming back day by day 
to the old vocations, and some are as much surprised 
to find their homes still uninjured as others are to 
learn that the batteries which were considered im- 
pregnable liave surrendered to an enemy whose 
persistent effort did not result in any injury that 
could not be repaired by a few men in a short time 
and at a small expense." 

Upon the fall of Santiago the American press 
resumed its appeal to Spain to sue for peace. 

There seems to be little independence in the 
American press. Like sheep they follow a leader, 
and the leader wanted an early peace. The publica- 
tion of overtures from Spain were denied, and 
Blanco was even quoted as urging war to the bitter 
end. 

Rear- Admiral AYatson was ordered to prepare to 
sail soon for the coast of Spain, as it was stated to be 
the President's intention to seize the Canaries and 
bombard Cadiz. Orders were issued to Watson to 
repair to Spain with a fleet, and but for the delay 
caused by retention of vessels to convoy the fleet of 
transports to Porto Rico there is no doubt but that 
American guns would have thundered at the sea- 



iu^ 



^1 




?: 



a 

X 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 345 

ports of the Peninsula. Not only an American fleet 
but an American army would have gone to Spain 
and seized Madrid, had it been necessaiy to secure 
peace, and the protests of the powers would not have 
deterred America from her duty. 



346 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE PORTO EICAIsr EXPEDITION GENEKAL MILES IN 

COMMAND SELECTION OF TRANSPORTS THE EX- 
PEDITION SAILS. 

Scarce Lad the American flag been flung to the 
breeze over the governor's palace than General Miles 
began preparations for the Poito Kican expedition. 
The army of the United States, though in the tropics 
in midsummer and at the beginning of the sickly 
season, was unusually active. The sluggish sons of 
the torrid zone were stunned at Yankee courage, 
humiliated by Yankee generosity, and amazed at 
Yankee energy. What they had supposed would be 
a campaign of months was performed in a few days. 
That army of Americans seemed invincible and the 
resources of the nation unbounded. The Americans 
proved generous, forgiving conquerors, which went 
far toward ameliorating the wounded pride of the 
Spaniards. 

Admiral Cervera and his brave crew had been re- 
ceived more as unfortunate brothers than prisoners, 
sent to America and treated with every honor 
and respect. Spain, o^^•ing to the strained relations 
between the two countries for years, knew little of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 347 

America or Americans, and there is really no better 
way to learn the generosity of a foe than to be con- 
quered. The people on whom they had looked as 
barbarians were, after all, men and women with kind 
hearts and generous impulses. 

The conflict, however, had not gone far enough — 
Spanish honor was not yet satisfied, and the cry was 
" On to Porto Rico." 

Havana could wait. The blockade which had 
been made around the islands was strengthened, now 
that it was not found necessary to keep a fleet to 
watch Spanish vessels. 

General Miles was to be in command of the Porto 
Pico expedition, and General Brooke was to accom- 
pany him. But there was a nice little question as to 
which was to start first. 

On July 19, 1898, the movement against Porto 
Pico may be said to have begun. The first detach- 
ment of the military expedition left the United 
States. In oflS.cial circles the opinion was expressed 
that the landing would be accomplished within seven 
days. Strict secrecy was observed by the War De- 
partment, and by all the government oflScials, who 
had been apprised of the plans in regard to the point 
or points selected for the landing of the soldiers. 
The opinion, however, was that the landing would 
be made on the southern coast of Porto Pico. 

Further reticence was observed in regard to the 
naval part of the Porto Pico expedition. The only 



348 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

fact in reiJi;ard to this which could be stated on abso- 
lute authority was that the Yale and Columbia 
would act as convoys. The Yale was to go from 
Guantanamo with General Miles on board. The 
Columbia's part in the general movement against 
Porto Rico w'as not known to any one except a few 
officials, but no concealment was made of the fact 
that she would act as a protection for the troops on 
the way. 

Troops to the number of 6,200 men left Tampa, 
Florida, on the 18th and 19th. It would probably 
require a full week for the transports to make the 
trip. It was not known what route they would take, 
but it was thought they would probably go through 
the Yucatan Channel, at the western end of Cuba, 
and thus join the troops which were to embark from 
the landings on the south coast of Santiago Province. 
The fact that the army officials believed that the 
general would not leave for several days strength- 
ened the view that the Tampa troops were to join 
those at Santiago. It was evidently the intention of 
General Miles to await the arrival of the transports 
which were then en route from the Florida rendez- 
vous. It was the intention to perfect a junction of 
these troops at some point before starting for Porto 
Rico, be it at Santiago or the Windward Passage. 

Orders w^ere issued from the War Department on 
the 19th providing for the almost immediate em- 
barkation of a second detachment of troops from 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 349 

the United States. The orders provided for the 
movement of several regiments of volunteers from 
Chickamauga to Newport News, where they would 
go on board the transport ships which were w\iitin<>' 
for them. The troops affected by this order be- 
longed to Brigadier-General Baines' Brigade, consist- 
ing of the Third Illinois, Fourth Pennsylvania, and 
Fourth Ohio, and three other regiments of infantry 
from Southern States. Four batteries of artillery 
were also ordered to move at the same time to the 
same place. One thousand horses and ambulance 
wagons were also to go on board the trains at Chicka- 
mauga next day, and be cariied to Newport News, 
where they were to embark on the Porto Rico expe- 
dition. 

Included in the force to be sent from Chickamauo-a 
were about 700 officers and men of the Signal Corps 
and hospital service. 

The troops from Tampa consisted mostly of regu- 
lars, including two light batteries and eight heavy 
batteries of the Seventh Artillery. The ships bear- 
ing these troops were the Cherokee, Gussie, Morgan, 
Whitney, Arcadia, Florida, Mohawk, and Kanita. 

General Miles on the 19th received full authority 
to go on to Porto Rico. Conflicting views caused 
some confusion on the night before. When General 
Miles informed the War Department of his intention 
to go to Porto Rico direct from Santiago, Secretary 
Alger was not favorably impressed. He had been 



350 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in consultation with General Brooke, and tlioiiglit 
the main movement to Porto Rico could not l)e made 
until the next week. He therefore concluded that 
it would be better to have General INIiles return at 
once to Washington, and start with the main part of 
the expedition. 

Instructions to this effect were prepared at the 
War Department. They directed that the Yale 
should sail at once to some port of the United States. 
Secretary Alger permitted it to become known late 
in the evening that General Miles was not to have 
his own ^vay, but to be ordered to AVashington. 

After having the order prepared, the secretary 
went to the White House and informed the Presi- 
dent of what he had done. A discussion of some 
length ensued upon the advisability^ of interfering 
with the plans of General Miles. It lasted until a 
late hour. The President took the ground that if 
the general thought he had force enough to proceed 
to Porto Rico, occupy a base of operations, and wait 
for General Brooke and the army of occupation, it 
would be well to let him do so. 

Secretary Alger argued in favor of General Miles' 
return. He said that for General Miles to pi-ecede 
General Brooke by a week or ten days was to take 
from the latter much of the honor of the expedition. 
The President, however, was impressed with the im- 
portance of the earliest possible occupation of Porto 
Rico. He disapproved the instructions which Sec- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 351 

retary Alger had formulated. A dispatch wns sent 
to General Miles giving him authoiity to exercise 
his own judgment as to the time he should sail. It 
seems, however, that in some way General Miles re- 
ceived the impression that his course was not wholly 
approved. He waited until morning and sent a 
message of inquiry, and the answer dictated by the 
President was such as to reassure him. Secretary 
Alger announced that General Miles would go to 
Porto Rico as soon as the convoy of warships was 
ready, and would send back the Yale for another 
load of troops. 

A definite and laudable purpose, well known to 
the War Board, inspired General Miles in his plan to 
precede the main expeditionary force to Porto Kico. 
The general commanding the army was neither satis- 
fied with the manner in which the Santiago expedi- 
tion got away from Tampa nor was he willing to 
rest with the operations before Santiago as an ex- 
hibit of the best the American army can do, so he 
determined to conduct the Porto Pico movement 
altogether different. 

The troops were to be moved, not in a great, un- 
wieldy body, with many vexatious delays, as was 
the case at the Tampa embarkation. General Miles 
was to go ahead with a brigade of infantry to take 
the proposed base of operations, and with enough 
artillery to fortify it. He was to select a suitable 
place to camp comfortably and to organize thoroughly 



352 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the army of occupation. As fast as the troops could 
be loaded on transports with their supplies they 
were to be sent. They would reach Porto Rico by 
regiments and brigades, and land at the occupied 
base without confusion, and find their camp locations 
selected for them. The movement was to proceed 
rapidly and without confusion. The troops were 
to go into camp upon their arrival, and care taken 
for their comfort. When the 25,000 or 30,000 sol- 
diers were landed the army would proceed delib- 
erately, taking its equipment and artillery as it 
moved, to invest the principal Spanish stronghold, 
San Juan. There was to be no repetition of the 
confusion witnessed at the Baiquiri landing and the 
advance on Santiago. The army would not move 
until the artillery was ashore and ready to proceed. 
The commissary was to keep well up, and there 
would be no half-rations. With system and in per- 
fect order General Miles would proceed against San 
Juan. He promised himself that the occupation of 
Porto Pico would be characterized by good general- 
ship. It was admitted generally that the splendid 
valor of the soldier, rather than any particularly 
good management, won the Santiago campaign. 
The Porto Rico movement General Miles intended 
should be in strong contrast. He expected to accom- 
plish results with very little loss of life, and with 
the maintenance of the army in good health and 
spirits. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 353 

All the above is a summary of predictions, orders, 
and dispatches between Washington and Miles, 
highly colored by newspaper correspondents. Be- 
tween the lines it reads as a direct criticism of the 
brave old General Shafter, who had borne the brunt 
of the only battle fought by the army. 

It is a painful fact that among our greatest men 
there may be found petty jealousies. After all, we 
are all made of the same clay, and the best only 
weak mortals. 

On the 19th Admiral Sampson received final 
orders from the Navy Department as to the part the 
American fleet was to take in tlie campaign against 
Porto Rico. They were based on the view that the 
campaign was essentially an army movement, the 
duties of the navy being to lend every support and 
assistance to the land operations. The admiral was 
instructed to aid the army movements by dispatch- 
ing convoys when required, and by covering the 
landing of troops. As there was no Spanish fleet in 
San Juan harbor or other Porto Kican ports, the 
navy had a limited field of operations. The reduc 
tion of the harbor fortifications would be the main 
work, but this and all other operations of the fleet 
were to be supplementary to the main operations 
conducted by the army. The strategists, military 
and naval, were agreed in the view that the taking 
of Porto Rico was primarily a military undertaking, 
and Admiral Sampson's orders were on these lines. 



354 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

It was supposed by the department at Washington 
that General Miles had sailed from Guantanamo on 
the 19th, as it was known that there were several 
transports with soldiers already on board, who had 
been sent to aid Sliafter, but arriving after the fall 
of Santiago they had been retained on board for the 
Porto Kican expedition. 

On the 20th General Miles sent a dispatch to the 
War Department in which hr said: 

"The Lampasas imd Nueces arrived last night 
with 600 troops, artillery material, laborers, etc. I 
Lave ten transports with me, and am anxious to 
leave, but am delayed on account of convoys." 

When the dispatch was received at the War De- 
partment it was at once sent to the Navy Depart- 
ment, whence the necessary instructions were sent to 
Admiral Sampson without delay, so that the proper 
convoy might be got ready. On the same day 
preparations and embarkations of troops began 
from Charleston, S. C, and from Camp Thomas. 
With bauds playing and 30,000 people cheer- 
ing, the first expedition, consisting of 1,000 troops, 
to follow General Miles to Porto Pico, got away 
from Charleston at 7 p. m. 

The expedition Avas under the command of Major- 
General J. H. Wilson, and would be, when com- 
plete, the Second and Third AVisconsin, the 
Sixteenth Pennsylvania, and two companies 
of the Sixth Illinois. The fii'st two res-iments 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 355 

w^ent on the transports Grand Duchess and No. 

20 respectively; No. 21 carried the Sixteenth Penn- 
sylvania and the Illinois men. Each of the ships 
carried a large quantity of supplies, and on the No. 

21 there were 1,000 heatl of mules and the wagon 
train of General Wilson's division. These men, 
together with those of the Sixth Illinois and Sixth 
Massachusetts, which sailed the week before for 
Santiago, constituted the First Brigade of the First 
Division of the First Army Corps. 

For two days and nights the work of loading bag- 
gage and provisions on the transports had been going 
forward under rush orders. All the stevedores in 
the city were employed at it. Tliey were assisted 
by details of men from the various regiments and 
the five hundred negro laborers employed by the 
government, and destined for work on the roads and 
bridges in Cuba. The scene which accompanied the 
departure of the vessels from their docks w as one 
of indescribable enthusiasm. Practically the entire 
population of the city w^as in evidence. As the ves- 
sels began to steam out, the bands on shipboard and 
ashore played national airs, and thousands of people 
cheered like niad. 

The following is a newspaper description of get- 
ting ready to move the troops from Camp Thomas, 
at Chickamauga : 

"CuiCKAMAUGA PaeK; Tenu., July 20. — The move- 



356 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH STAIN. 

ment of troops from Camp Thomas for Porto Rico 
will begin to-morrow. To-day the various com- 
mands included in the first order to move are busy 
packing up and loading their effects. They will 
have every tiling finished by night and can get out at 
an early hour to-morrow without delay. Railroads 
have trains in readiness and have things so arranged 
that, they put the troops through to Newport News 
in a very short time. 

"The commands which go to-morrow are the 
Second Brigade of the First Division, First Corps^ 
consisting of tlie Fourth Pennsylvania, Fourth Ohio, 
and tlie Third Illinois, under command of Brioadier- 
General Haines; light batteries B of Pennsylvania, 
A of Illinois and the Twenty-seventh Indiana 
Battery ; the Signal Corps, under Major Glassford; 
the Reserve Hospital Corps, under Major L. S. Smith, 
and the Reserve Ambulance Corps, with thirty -three 
ambulances, under Major Frank Boyd. 

"Major-General Brooke was at his headquarters 
early to-day. He spent the morning in consultation 
Avith his officers, arranging plans for the departure 
to Porto Rico. He declined interviews on the move- 
ment of troops or any other subject. 

" Although the orders have not yet been issued it 
is believed that the Third Brigade, First Division, 
First Corps, and the Second Division of the First 
Corps, will begin moving Thursda}^ or Friday. 
These commands are composed as follows : Third 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 357 

Brigade, First Division — Fiist Kentucky, Fifth Illi- 
nois and Third Kentucky. 

" First Brigade, Second Division — One Hundred 
and Sixtieth Indiana, Tbirty-first Michigan, First 
West Virginia. Second Brigade — Sixth Ohio, One 
Hundred and Fifty-eighth Indiana, Second Ohio. 
Third Brigade — Fourteenth Minnesota, First Penn- 
sylvania, First Georgia. 

^' General Poland, commander of the Second Div- 
ison of the First Corps, has been ill for the last few 
days, but hopes to be out in a day or two. He will 
accompany his division to the front. 

"The telephone system at the park has been aban- 
doned and the army officers are depending entirely 
upon the telegraph, the Signal Coi'ps having perfected 
an excellent system with an office at each of the 
division headquarters. 

" The system gives General Brooke's headquarters 
direct connection with the government at Washing- 
ton. Yesterdr.y the work of tearing down the tele- 
phone wires was begun. 

"Major Lorigan, whose resignation as major of the 
Second Battalion, Ninth New York, has been 
accepted, has started for New York City. Major 
Lorigan's resignation grew out of his opposition to 
Colonel Greene for the colonelcy of the regiment. 
Both men had been prominent in New York State 
military affairs for years. 

" Because of the existing friction and the unpleasant 



358 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

results attendant, Major Lorigan decided to with- 
draw fiom the command. 

" Later, after having filed his resignation, he recon- 
sidered the matter and wished to withdraw it, but 
was informed by Colonel Greene that this couhl not 
be done. The matter had begun to assume more 
general proportions by this time, Major Lorigan's 
resignation being accompanied by that of Captain 
John D. AValton, Co. D. Since that time the resig- 
nation of Captain Byrd, Co. F ; Captain Tompkins, 
Co. B ; First Lieutenant Leon Pardy, Co. B ; First 
Lieutenant Winter, Co. B, have been filed through 
sympathy. Colonel Greene refused to discuss the 
matter or to speak of the probable successors of the 
commissioned officers who have resigned. 

" A spirited row is now on between the line of the 
Fourth Ohio and the medical staff. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Huidekoper has ordered Captain-Surgeon 
Wright over to the division hospital. Colonel Colt 
said the order should come through him, and appealed 
to Brioadier-General Haines. Haines sustained Colt 
and Wright will stay till the matter can be carried 
up. 

" Colonel Lee, Chief Quartermaster, was in consul- 
tation with a number of railroad men this after- 
noon, hurrying as rapidly as possible the arrange- 
ments for transportation. 

"It was learned from excellent authority this 
evenincr that it is the earnest desire of General 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 3o9 

Brooke that the entire First Corps form the expedi- 
tionary forces going from here. This would mean a 
departure from Chiekamauga of about 30,000 volun- 
teers. The inference is that the War Department 
is considering whether or not it will be necessary to 
draw so heavily upon the forces at Camp Thomas, it 
being a question as to whether so many men would 
be needed, in addition to the regiments now under 
orders to go from other points. 

" There is still some question as to whether the 
corps will go as organized. There are some fine 
regiments in the Third Corps that are thoroughly 
drilled and equipped, and it is not improbable that 
some of these will be included in the force, being 
substitutes for regiments that have all along been 
identified wuth the First Corps. 

"Colonel Hartsuff, chief surgeon, said to-day that 
the medical department of the First Corps had all 
the supplies of every natuie necessary for the expe- 
dition about to be entered upon. ' The troops that 
go out,' added Colonel Hartsuff, ' will be equipped 
comj)letely, and not lacking in any essential feature.' 

" Colonel Rockwell handed out for distribution in 
the First and Second Divisions of the First Corps this 
afternoon 800,000 rounds of ball cartridsfes. 

" The artillery brigade received a large quantity 
of equipage. A large quantity of ordnance stores 
was forwarded from Camp Thomas yesterday for 
the Third AVisconsin at Charleston. 



360 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

" Several hundred thousand rounds of ammunition 
arrived to-night, and will be distributed at once. 
Major Hemphill reported to-day from Camp Alger, 
and was assigned as quartermaster of the First Di- 
vision, First Corps." 

The above should be preserved as a relic of news- 
paper barbarism, confusion, and misstatements in the 
war with Spain. It would seem that the amount of 
secrecy used at the departure of General Miles for 
Porto Rico was hardly essential. He sailed with 
transports from Guantanamo. On the 21st the 
general sent the following dispatch : 

" Plata del Este, July 21. — (Received in "Washington at 
2:38 P. M., July 21.)— Secretary of War, Washington: The 
Massachusetts, Dixie, Gloucester, Cincinnati, Leyden, and 
Wasp go with the Yale and Columbia. We expect to sail at 

3 P. M. 

(Signed) "Miles.'' 

On the 22d the adjutant-general stated that 
Troops A and C, New York Cavalry, also Philadel- 
phia City Troop, Governor's Troop, and Sheridan's 
Troop, Pennsylvania Cavalry, liad been ordered from 
Camp Alger to Porto Pico. 

It was evident on this day that Miles was on the 
way, for the War Department received the following 
cablegram : 

" Mole St. Nicolas. — ToSecretary of War, Washington: 
Am disappointed in non-arrival of Colonel Hecker with Con- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 361 

strnction Corps. Colonel Black arrived without snagboats or 
lighters. Please send at least four strong seagoing lighters 
and tugs. Also General Stone's boats at Jacksonville, if not 
already sent, as soon as possible. Moving along well. 

(Signed) "Miles.'' 

On the 23d there were reported four large war- 
ships off the harbor of Cape Haytien, Hayti, at six 
o'clock p. M. They were going in the direction of 
Porto Rico. 

The German bark Carl, Captain Vols, arrived at 
port that day. Her commander said he saw eight 
American warships the night before at nine o'clock 
off the coast of Hayti. 

He had a flashlight on his ship and tried to make 
out the names of the Americans, but they were too 
far away. 

There could be no doubt that the vessels were a 
part of Miles' transports or convoys, and all at the 
capital felt confident that by the 24th or 25th at 
most the expedition would be off some of the Porto 
Rican ports. 

While it was known that the Spanisli fleet was 
destroyed, and it was believed that the spirit of the 
Spanish opposition was broken, nevertheless there 
was considerable anxiety felt in regard to the expe- 
dition. 

Meanwhile important events were transpiring at 
Santiago de Cuba. General Shafter sent the follow- 
lowing report : 



3G2 HISTORY OF TPIE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

*' Santiago de Cuba, July 33, 6:25 p. m. Headquarters 
Fifth Army Corps, Santiago de Cuba, July 23. — Adjutant- 
General, Washington, D. C. : Colonel of Engineers Spanish 
army has just arrived from Guantanamo. He heard from the 
French consul there that Santiago had surrendered, and that 
they had been included. Not crediting it, he was sent here 
to verify the fact. 

"They will be very glad to accept terms of surrender; very 
short of rations, and I shall have to begin feeding them at 
once. He tells me there are 6,000 men at that place. Am 
now feeding 6,000 well prisoners here, and 1,600 sick in hos- 
pital. 

" Expect 2,000 men to-morrow from San Luis and Palmas. 
Will send an officer to-morrow or next day, with one of Gen- 
eral Toral's, to receive surrender at Guantanamo, and then go 
to Sagua and Bara9oa to receive surrender there. 

" Think the number of prisoners will be fully up to the 
estimate— 22,000 or 23,000. 

(Signed) "Shafter, 

*' Major-General Commanding." 

Complications over the retention of the Spanish, 
officials in Santiago, against which Garcia complained 
in a letter to Shafter, were becoming more serious. 
The members of the Spanish Court of Justice had 
formed a conference to decide whether to continue 
to sit or to resign. This action was precipitated by 
President McKinley's proclamation demanding that 
the Spanish authorities recognize the sovereignty of 
the United States. They announced that they would 
consult with Madrid, but were informed by Shafter 
that the President's utterances were very clear, and 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 3G3 

that Madrid had nothing to say in the premises. 
Leading Cubans were preparing a petition to Mc- 
Kinley urging the removal of the Spanish officials. 

General Shafter sent the following answer to 
Garcia's letter of protest and withdrawal : 

"My Dear General Garcia: I must say that I was 
very much surprised at the receipt of your letter this morn- 
ing, and regret extremely that you should regard yourself 
as in any way slighted or aggrieved. 

** You will remember the fact that I invited you to ac- 
company me into the town of Santiago to witness the sur- 
render, which you declined. This war, as you know, is 
between the United States and Spain, and it is out of the 
question for me to take any action in regard to your forces 
in connection with the surrender, which was made solely to 
the American army. 

"The policy of my government in continuing in power, 
temporarily, the persons occupying the offices is one which I 
am, of course, unable to discuss. 

"To show you the views held by my government, I in- 
close a copy of instructions received by me yesterday from 
the President, which appear to cover everything which can 
possibly arise in the government of this territory Avhile held 
by the United States. Full credit has been given to you 
and your valiant men in my report to my government, and 
I wish to acknowledge to you the great and valuable as- 
sistance you rendered in the campaign. I regret very much 
to know of your determination to withdraw yourself from 
this vicinity. I remain yours, very sincerely, 

" Shafter, Major-General." 

The Cubans, rank and file, still murmured in dis- 



364 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

content. One could hear groups of ragged native 
soldiery along the country roadside discussing the 
matter with vehemence. 

It was decided that, despite the consuming anxiety 
of the American forces to get home or go to take a 
hand in the fighting at Porto Eico, they would be 
marched inland to the north to recuperate as best 
they could in tlie healthy uplands preparatory to an 
attack on Holguin. The insurgents had already 
gone thither. Supplies from the State of Texas were 
being distributed rapidly. The actual distress in 
the city was largely relieved, while Siboney was 
merely a sick camp. The engineers were the last 
body of troops remaining there to be moved. 

With Miles gone and the Cubans sulking, with 
jealous and envious officers all about him. General 

Shafter was in a gloomy situation. He who had 
dared so much, suffered so much, endured so 
much, was subjected to unjust criticism, contumelious 
and malignant misrepresentation ; yet Shafter was a 
soldier, and bore all with patience and in silence, 
obeying commands, waiting and dreading an enemy 
stealthily creeping upon him, more deadly than the 

Spaniards. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 365 



CHAPTEK XVI. 

SPAIN, THEOUGH THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR, SUES FOR 

PEACE THE president's REPLY TERRIBLE 

STATE OF AFFAIRS AT SANTIAGO — ROOSEVELt's 
LETTER. 

It is not always the unexpected that happens. 
The continual appeal to Spain from the Powers and 
the continued assurances from the press that Spain 
was about to yield, brought about an overture in 
that direction. There is an old adage that when 
your neighbor's house is on fire look out for your 
own. The Powers of Europe saw that a conflagra- 
tion was about to be enkindled that might overset 
half a dozen thrones. AVe can easily understand the 
growing anxiety of Europe over the Hispano-Ameri- 
can War. There had for years been a growing inter- 
est manifest throughout the world in those outlying 
regions of the globe which had scarcely been 
touched by modern influences. That such an inter- 
est did exist, and that it was altotrether different 
from the natural curiosity awakened by the love of 
the marvelous, is evident to any thinking person who 
the past few years has followed the trend of events 



366 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN- 

in Asia and Africa, to say nothing of the constantly 
changing diplomatic relations which kept all Europe 
in a feverish state of anxiety. While much of this 
was doubtless due to race jealousies, commercial 
rivalries, and the time-honored policy of diverting 
public attention from domestic ills by triumphantly 
bearing the national arms through distant lands, the 
most powerful was no doubt the press of population 
upon the means of subsistence. The invention of 
labor-saving machinery and the great improvements 
made in means of communication and transportation 
not only opened new avenues of earning a liveli- 
hood, but brought the whole world into closer and 
stronger relationship. Population increased by leaps 
and bounds, and immigration found new channels 
almost everywhere. To provide homes for those 
who were turning their ej'es across the seas was, 
therefore, one leading idea back of that revival of 
the colonial policy which in past centuries played 
such a leading part in human history, but save in 
England had for many years lain almost dormant. 
In Eui'ope the Eastern question had assumed a new 
aspect. The growing jealousy of England by other 
European powers had to a certain degree isolated 
that nation from the European concert. Great 
Britain naturally turned her eyes to her kindred 
across the waters, with whom she had quarreled for 
a century, and sought by pleas of ties of blood to be 
friends once more. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 367 

Then when Spain, one of the oldest land-grabbers 
on the earth, but now one of the weakest, became 
involved in a war with the United States, all Europe 
looked on more or less interested spectators. Ger- 
many, France, Austria, and even Russia were no 
doubt spectators whose sympathies were with Spain, 
while England from prudential reasons became the 
friend of America. 

There was an old grudge between France and 
Germany which extended back to the early seventies, 
and the concert of Powers Avas by no means harmo- 
nious, or the United States might have had more of 
Europe than Spain to have conquered. 

That Spain had hope of aid from some or all of 
these countries cannot be doubted. The fact that 
Cervera's fleet coaled at Martinique, a French port, 
proves that it was not wholly unfounded, and the 
blustering of the German admiral at Manila is in 
evidence that the kaiser was rather disposed in 
favor of Spain. 

America was known as a peaceful nation, a great 
commercial country, wliere the people knew how to 
make money, but were supposed to be armyless and 
navyless. The navy of Spain, though inferior in 
ships and guns, was believed to be superior in gun- 
ners. Dewey's victory stunned all Europe for 
awhile, but they began to frame excuses for it, and 
it was thought to be an accident which would not 
be repeated. But then came the wonderful achieve- 



368 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

ments of Sliafter, with soldiers few of whom were 
ever under fire before, followed by the dash of Cer- 
vera and a second wonderful naval engagement. 
German bluster began to subside, and the ofiicialsof 
that nation hastened to assure the American govern- 
ment of their friendliness. 

All Europe was awed at the success of American 
arms on land and sea, and Spain was left alone to 
tread the drear and dangerous path without a ray of 
hope to light her footsteps. Spain's internal troubles 
held her longer to the furnace than she would have 
remained. She appealed in vain to the crowned 
heads, but the days of crowned heads are numbered. 
A Eui'opean war would mean the upsetting of half 
a dozen dynasties, and the formation of as many 
re-publics. Even Emperor William was not so firmly 
fixed upon the throne that he could not be removed, 
for the growing intelligence of Germany was weary of 
his arrogance. The war lord knew this and decided 
to let the United States settle the Philippine ques- 
tion as suited it. 

Under the circumstances Spain could do nothing 
more than beo:in overtures which looked toward 
peiice. The newspapers that had been tri-weekly 
making overtures for Sj^ain had something tangible 
to seize upon, when on July 26, 1898, Spain through 
M. Jules Cambon the French Ambassador made her 
first overtures for peace. 

The public press of that day made the following 




/ 



CO 



Ed 

a: 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 369 

announcement of the ev^ent which was hailed by all 
with pleasure : 

" Washington, July 26. — The Spanish government 
has sued for peace, not indirectly through the great 
Powers of Europe, but by a direct appeal to Presi- 
dent McKinley. The proposition was formally sub- 
mitted to the President at three o'clock this after- 
noon by the French Ambassador, M. Jules Canibon, 
w^ho had received instructions from the foreign 
office at Paris to deliver to the United States govern- 
ment the tender of peace formulated by the Spanish 
ministry. At the conclusion of the conference be- 
tween the President and French ambassador, the 
following official statement was issued from the 
White House : 

" ' The Fi'ench Ambassador, on behalf of the 
government of Spain and by direction of the Spanish 
minister of foreign affairs, presented to the Presi- 
dent this afternoon at the White House a message 
from the Spanish government looking to the termina- 
tion of the war and the settlement of terms of peace.' " 

This was the only official document made public, 
but it sufficed to put at rest all conjecture, and to 
make clear and definite that at last Spain had taken 
the initiative toward peace. 

Shortly before midnight July 25th, a dispatch to 
the French embassy made it kno\\n that the ambas- 



370 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

sador would be charged with the important mission 
of opening peace negotiations in behalf of Spain. 

The complete instructions, including an official 
letter from Duke Almadover, Spanish Minister of 
Foreign Affairs, were received next morning. 
Thereupon M. Thiebaut, First Secretary of the 
Embassy, called at the State Department and asked 
that an hour be appointed for a call by Ambassador 
Cambon on the President. The purpose of the call 
was not stated. It was arranged at the AMiite 
House that the call should be made at three o'clock. 
M. Cambon first went to the State Department, 
where he was joined by Secretary Day, and the two 
then proceeded together to the White House. The 
call lasted about half an hour, and after the first 
formalities had been executed by M. Cambon, the 
talk became general and quite informal. The Presi- 
dent, the ambassador and secretary of state discus- 
ing the outlook for a conclusion of hostilities. 

The proposition submitted by the ambassador, 
acting for the Spanish government, was quite 
general in terms, and confined to the same essential 
point of an earnest plea that negotiations be opened 
for the purpose of terminating the war and arriving 
at terms of peace. The communication of the 
Spanish government did not suggest any specific 
terms of peace, nor was any reference made to Cuba, 
the Philippines, Porto Rico, or other Spanish pos- 
sessions. The evident purpose of the Madrid author- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 371 

ities was to first learn whether the Uuited 
States would treat on the subject of peace, and after 
that to take up such terms as the two parties might 
suggest. 

Owing to the importance of the communication, 
the ambassador adopted the usual diplomatic pro- 
cedure of reading the communication from the 
original in French, the translation being submitted 
by M. Thiebaut. 

In the conversation which followed the reading of 
the proposition, neither the President nor the ambas- 
sador entered upon the question of terms of peace. 
The instructions of the ambassador had confined him 
to the one essential point of opening peace negotia- 
tions, and it was evident that the President desired 
to consider the proposition at this moment before 
giving any definite reply. It is was finally deter- 
mined that the President would consult the members 
of his cabinet concerning the proposition, and after 
a decision had been arrived at M. Carabon would 
then be invited to the White House for a further 
conference and for a final answer from the United 
States government. Before the call closed a brief 
ofiicial memorandum was agreed upon, in order to 
set at rest misleading conjectures and to give to the 
public information on a subject which had advanced 
beyond the point where diplomatic reserve was 
essential. 

Spain having inserted the entering wedge in the 



373 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

direction of peace, the great question was whether 
an agreement could be reached as to the terms. 
Upon President McKinley devolved the duty of 
making the first definite proposition. He had a very 
good general idea of the minimum demands which 
he would make, but several days might elapse be- 
fore he would communicate with Anjbassador Cam- 
bon. In the meantime he would endeavor to learn 
the public sentiment throughout the country, espe- 
cially among senators, who would have to ratify any 
treaty of peace. 

When ready to make his first proposition to Am- 
bassador Cambon, he would probably demand more 
than he would expect Spain to finally yield. 
Although no formal statement was made as to what 
the President would demand, it was thought the 
conditions of peace would be : 

"Spain shall surrender sovereignty over Cuba, 
Porto E-ico, and adjacent islands, and shall agree to 
immediately remove her military' forces. 

"The United States shall take possession of one 
of the Ladrone Islands as a coaling station. 

"The United States will then consent to the ap- 
pointment of a joint commission to pass upon the 
terms of peace, including the question whether the 
United States shall permanently hold possession of 
the Philippine Islands or part of them, or shall re- 
tain only a coaling and naval station. 

** Pending the final decision on the Philippines, the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 373 

United States shall take possession of and hold the 
City and Bay of Manila, and shall retain the same 
under a military government until the terms of peace 
have been agreed upon." 

AVhen the French ambassador was notified that 
the reply was ready he went to the White House, 
accompanied by the first secretary, M. Thiebaut. 
The reply was delivered, and the greater part of the 
afternoon was consumed in putting it into form for 
transmission to Madrid. The ambassador did not 
speak English, which made it necessary that the 
American note be interpreted, and as this work pro- 
ceeded the ambassador asked many questions, in 
order that there might be conveyed to him a correct 
representation of the position of the United States. 

Spain had her answer, and it was now only a 
question of what she would do. The war w^as be- 
coming alarming to both nations. Spain was losing 
territory and lives, and while the first demand of the 
United States might seem harsh, there was a general 
understanding that the next would be still more se- 
vere. Few concessions could be made, while Spain 
might plead stubborn subjects at home. President 
McKinley represented a people that would bear no 
trifling. If his constituency demanded all of the 
Philippines he w^ould not dare relinquish a fo<'t 
of the territory, but hold on to the entire archi- 
pelago. 

The American soldier had an enemy to contend 



3t4 HISTORY OK THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

with far more deadly than all the armies of Europe. 
Even before the fall of Santiago there were reports 
of suspicious cases of fever in the hospitals about 
the city. Days and uights in rain, mud, and 
trenches, the alternation between drenching show^ers 
and burning suns, was bringing on the sickly season. 
It w^as only what might have been expected when 
an army was sent into the tropics at that season of 
the year. 

The suspicious fever cases increased rapidly ; just 
how rapidly the world will never know. No doubt 
the commissary depaitment was not as good as it 
should have been. The food was of a poor 
quality. Letters from private soldiers to friends 
stated that the press censorship prevented one- 
tenth of the horrors being told. Not only was 
sickness prevalent at Santiago, but at Tampa, Florida, 
Chickamauga, and Camp Alger, in Virginia, there 
was complaint of rotten meat and poor supplies when 
the nation was boasting of its wealth. 

Shafter's forces had been inadequate, and, as ad- 
mitted by Miles himself, their departure was a piece 
of bungling. As has been stated, many of them 
were held on crowded transports for days before 
they started. Weakened by the heat of a torrid 
sun in midsummer, they reached their landing with 
degenerated spirits, and began the march and fought 
the battles under the most trying circumstances. 

They were fit subjects for yellow fever, and report 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 3'^5 

after report was flashed over the cable of tbe increased 
cases. On the 2d of August Colonel Theodore 
Roosevelt, realizing the deplorable condition of the 
troops, addressed the following letter to General 
Shafter : 

" Major-General Shafter. Sir : In a meeting of the 
general and medical officers, called by you at the Palace this 
morning, we were all, as you know, unanimous in our view of 
what should be done with the army. To keep us here, in the 
opinion of every officer commanding a division or a brigade, 
will simply involve the destruction of thousands. There is 
no possible reason for not shipping practically the entire 
command North at once. 

" Yellow fever cases are very few in the Cavalry Division, 
where I command one of the two brigades, and not one true 
case of yellow fever has occurred in this division except among 
the men sent to the hospital at Siboney, where they have, I 
believe, contracted it. But in this division there have been 
1,500 cases of malarial fevers. Not a man has died from it, 
but the whole command is so weakened and shattered as to 
be ripe for dying like rotten sheep when a real yellow fever 
epidemic, instead of a fake epidemic like the present, strikes 
us. It is bound to if we stay here at the height of the 
sickness season — August and the beginning of September. 

"Quarantine against malarial fever is much like quarantin- 
ing against the toothache. All of us are certain, as soon as 
the authorities at "Washington fully appreciate the condition 
of the arm}', it will be sent home. If we are kept here it 
will, in all human probability, mean an appalling disaster, for 
the surgeons here estimate that over half the army, if kept 
here during the sickly season, will die. This is not only ter- 
rible from the standpoint of the individual lives lost, but it 
means ruin from the standpoint of the military efficiency of 



376 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the flower of the American army, for the great hulk of the 
regulars are here with yon. 

''The sick list, though large it is, exceeding 4,000, affords 
but a faint index of the debilitation of the army. Not ten 
per cent, are fit for active work. Six weeks on the North 
Maine coast, for instance, or elsewhere, where the yellow 
fever germ cannot possibly propagate, would make us all as 
fit as fighting cocks, able as we are eager to take a part in the 
great campaign against Havana in the fall, even if we are not 
allowed to try Porto Kico. 

** We can be moved North, if moved at once, with absolute 
safety to the country, although, of course, it would have been 
infinitely better if we had been moved North or to Porto Eico 
two weeks ago. If there were any object in keeping us here 
we would face yellow fever with as much indifference as we 
faced bullets; but there is no object in it. The four immune 
regiments ordered here are sufficient to garrison the city and 
surrounding towns, and there is absolutely nothing for us to 
do here, and there has not been since the city surrendered. 

'' It is impossible to move into the interior. Every shifting 
of camp doubles the sick rate in our present weakened condi- 
tion, and, anyhow, the interior is rather worse than the coast, 
as I have found by actual reconnoissance. Our present camps 
are as healthy as any camps at this end of the island can be. 

"I write only because I cannot see our men, who have 
fought so bravely and who have endured extreme nardships 
and danger so uncomplainingly, go to destruction without 
striving, so far as lies in me, to avert a doom as fearful as it 
is unnecessary and undeserved. Yours respectfully, 

''Theodore Roosevelt, 
"Colonel Commanding First Brigade." 

After Colonel Roosevelt had taken the initiative, 




CO 

H 

H 



>«*;*■ , S«sa**bfa»*?-'A*.'-?_,£«B?-T« 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 377 

all the American general officers united iu a ''round 
robin " addressed to General Shaf ter. It read : 

"We, the undersigned, officers commanding the varions 
brigades, divisions, etc., of the Army of Occupation in Cuba, 
are of the unanimous opinion that this army should be at once 
taken out of the island of Cuba and sent to some point on the 
northern seacoast of the United States; that it can be done 
without danger to the people of the United States; that yel- 
low fever in the army at present is not epidemic; that there 
are only a few sporadic cases, but that the army is disabled 
by malarial fever to the extent that its efficiency is destroyed, 
and that it is in a condition to be practically destroyed by an 
epidemic of yellow fever, which is sure to come in the near 
future. 

" We know from the reports of competent officers and from 
personal observations that the army is unable to move into 
the interior, and that there are no facilities for such a move 
if attempted, and that it could not be attempted until too 
late. Moreover, the best medical authorities of the island say 
that with our present equipment we could not live in the 
interior during the rainy season without losses from malarial 
fever, which is almost as deadly as yellow fever. 

"This army must be moved at once or perish. As the 
army can be safely moved now, the persons responsible for 
preventing such a move will be responsible for the unnecessary 
loss of many thousand lives. 

" Our opinions are the result of careful personal observa- 
tions, and they are also based on the unaiiimous opinion of 
our medical officers with the army. We understand the 
situation absolutely. 

(Signed) 
"J. Ford Kent, Major-General Volunteers, Commanding 
Pirst Division, Fifth Corps. 



378 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

" J. C. Bates, Major-General Volunteers, Commanding Pro- 
visional Division. 

**Adna K. Chaffee, Major-General, Commanding Third 
Brigade, Second Division. 

''Samuel S. Sumner, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Com- 
manding First Brigade Cavalry. 

"Will Ludlow, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Command^ 
ing First Brigade, Second Division. 

*'Adelbert Ames, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Com- 
manding Third Brigade, First Division. 

''Leonard Wood, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Command^ 
ing City of Santiago. 

"Theodore Eoosevelt, Colonel, Commanding Secon(!i 
Cavalry Brigade." 

Wood, the Chief Surgeon of the First Division, 
said : 

"The army must be moved North," adding with 
emphasis, "or it will be unable to move itself." 

General Ames on the same day seiit the following 
cable message to Washington ; 

"The Honorable Charles H. Allej?", Assistant Secre- 
tary of the Navy: This army is incapable, because of sickness, 
of marching anywhere except to the transports. If it is ever to 
return to the United States it must be at once." 

On the Red Cross Society rested the work of' 
caiing for the wounded and sick of an army of 20,000 
men. The no))le work of the Red Cross and the 
daring of Miss Clara Barton and her followers is the 
brightest page in all the history of our war with 
Spain, but the Red Cross could not do all. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 379 

The action of the officers of the army was too 
strong to be slighted. The eyes of the world was 
upon Santiago, and the suffering must be relieved. 
The War Department, on August 4, 1898, issued the 
following order: 

"War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Aug. 
4. — The secretary of war lias ordered General Shafter's 
troops relieved from further duty in Santiago as fast as trans- 
ports can be provided and the transfer of Spanish prisoners 
will admit of reduction of the garrison. 

'* Ships for the Spanish prisoners will arrive as follows: 
Steamer Isla de Luzon, sailed from Cadiz July 27th, due at 
Santiago August 9th, capacity 2,136; Isla de Panay, sailed 
from Cadiz July 31st, due at Santiago August 12th, capacity 
1,699; P. de Satrustegui, sailed from Cadiz August 1st, due 
at Santiago August 13th, capacity 2,254; Covadonga, sailed 
from Cadiz August 1st, due at Santiago August 13th, capacity 
2,174; Colon, sailed from Cadiz August 2d, due at Santiago 
August 14th, capacity 2,213; Leon XIIL, sailed from Cadiz 
August 2d, due at Santiago August 14th, capacity 2,256; San 
Augustin, sailed from Cadiz August 2d, due at Santiago 
August 14th, capacity 1,070; San Ignacio de Loyola, sailed 
from Cadiz August 3d, due at Santiago August 15th, capacity 
1,350; San Francisco, sailed from Cadiz August 4th, due at 
Santiago August 16th, capacity 1,350; Alicante, sailed from 
Martinique August 4th, due at Santiago August 7th, capacity 
1,900; total capacity, 18,404. 

"American transports now at Santiago are as follows: 
Catania, 800 men; Gates City, 600; Grand Duchess, 1,200-, 
Miami, 900; Matteawan, 720; Vigilance, 800; Olivette, 500; 
Berkshire, 250; total, 5,770 men. 



380 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

*' These will sail for New York as fast as they can be com- 
fortably embarked. 

" The rest at Montauk Point will prepare these seasoned 
troops for the campaign against Havana, in which they will 
probably take part. The first transport left Santiago yester- 
day. The movement is expected to be completed by the 20th 
of the month. Five United States volunteer regiments, im- 
munes, have been ordered to Santiago for garrison duty. The 
first has already arrived. The others are being pushed for- 
ward as rapidly as transportation can be furnished." 

" No doubt it was tlie prompt action of Colonel 
Roosevelt which brought about the removal of the 
troops. This picturesque gentleman, with all his 
ambition and eccentricity, was capable of great good. 
He was brave almost to daredevil, a man of kind and 
generous impulses, thoroughly democratic and defi- 
ant, and very patriotic. He was the hero of the war 
among the land forces. Receiving a commission to 
raise the Rough Riders, he accepted the second place 
in the reofiment and went to the front, where he dis- 
played a bravery seldom equaled. It was Colonel 
Roosevelt's ambition to take part in the Porto Rican 
campaign, so with that thought in mind he indited 
the following private note to the secretary of war: 

"Santiago, July 23, 1898.— My Dear Mr. Secretary: I 
am writing with the knowledge and approval of General 
Wheeler. 

'' We earnestly hope that you will send us, most of the 
regulars, and, at any rate, the cavalry division, including the 
Eough Riders, whe are as good as any regulars, and three 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 381 

times as good as any State troops, to Porto Rico. There are 
1,800 effective men in this division. If those who were left 
behind were joined to them we could land at Porto Rico in 
this cavalry division close to 4,000 men, who would be worth 
easily any 10,000 National Guards armed with black powder, 
Springfields or other archaic weapons. ..." 

'' Very respectfully, 
(Signed) ^'Theodoke Roosevelt." 

The following reply was cabled to Colonel Roose- 
velt: 

"Your letter of 23d is received. The regular army, the 

volunteer army, and the Rough Riders have done well, but I 

suggest that unless you want to spoil the effects and glory of 

your victory, you make no invidious comparisons. The 

Rough Riders are no better than other volunteers. They 

had an advantage in their arms, for which they ought to be 

very grateful. 

''R. A. Alger, Secretary of War." 

The Roosevelt round robin and his letter to Sec- 
retary Alger criticizing the volunteers created as 
much consternation in the War Department as a dis- 
charge of shrapnel. The letters were the subject on 
everybody's tongue. The matter was also discussed 
at a cabinet meeting. The President was displeased 
at the publication of the document representing the 
conditions at Santiago among the American troops. 
Secretary Alger was highly incensed. At the War 
Department the publication of the round robin was 
generally condemned as subversive of discipline, and 
calculated to give encouragement to the enemy. 



382 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The story that General Shafter had authorized its 
publication was denied in some quarters. A tele- 
gram was sent to General Shafter asking him if tlie 
letter was given out by him, and if not, report liow 
it reached the press. Colonel Roosevelt's style was 
too well known in the War and Navy departments 
to leave any doubt as to the authorship of the docu- 
ment. 

The publication by Secretary Alger of a personal 
letter written to him by Colonel Roosevelt, in which 
Colonel Roosevelt compared the volunteers to the 
regulars and the Rough Riders, to the disparagement 
of the former, was indicative of the secretary's anger 
at the criticism of the department contained in the 
round robin. 

It was charged by some of Colonel Roosevelt's 
friends in the department, who claimed to have 
knowledge whereof they spoke, that the full letter 
written by Colonel Roosevelt was not given out, but 
merely extracts calculated to make Colonel Roose- 
velt's comparisons of the volunteers with the Rough 
Riders appear in the worst possible light. The full 
text of the letter written by Colonel Roosevelt would, 
it was said, make it perfectly clear that tlie sole com- 
parison which Colonel Roosevelt intended to make 
between the volunteers and the Rough Riders was 
that the Rough Riders were better armed, and for 
that reason alone could do better service. 

There was nmch conjecture as to what would be 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 383 

the oiiteome of the controversy. Those who knew 
Colonel Roosevelt best were inclined to the view 
that the incident was by no means closed. It was 
hinted that he would either resign or demand a 
court-martial, and fight to a finish. 

As for the " Round Robin," whoever authorized 
its publication was sure to receive evidence of the 
administration's displeasure. 

The idea of the administration before the fall of 
Santiaf^o was that, when the city was taken, the 
Ameiican army, with the exception of a few regi- 
ments, could be moved either to the mountaias or 
brought back to this country, and the Cuban soldiers, 
under the direction of the Americans, used for gar- 
rison work in the city. Those who know and under- 
stand the Cubans say that if they had been handled 
right this plan could have been carried out with per- 
fect security to life and property, and at the same 
time perfect harmony between the Americans and 
their allies have been brought about. 

The stirring up of the administration and War 
Department to the terrible condition of the army, 
may be said to be a compensation for any breach of 
military discipline the publication of the round- 
robin letter might have been. 



384 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH STAIN. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MILES REACHES PORTO RICO— THE FIRST LANDING 

SKIRMISH AT GUANICA SURRENDER OF PONCE 

THE ARMY ON THE MARCH — FLOWERS AND 
FLAGS. 

The movements of General Miles were secret and 
rapid. 

His ships left Guantanamo Bay suddenly Thurs- 
day evening, July 21, 1898, with the Massachusetts, 
commanded by Captain F. J. Higginson, leading. 
Captain Higginson was in charge of the naval ex- 
pedition, which consisted of the Columbia, Dixie, 
Gloucester and Yale. General Miles w^as on board 
the last-named vessel. The troops were on the 
transports Nueces, Lampasas, Comanche, Rita, 
Unionist, Stillwater, City of Macon, and Specialist. 
The voyage from Guantanamo Bay was uneventful. 
At noon, July 25th, General Miles called for a con- 
sultation, announcing that he was determined not to 
go to Cape San Juan, but by the Mona Passage, land 
at Guanica, surprise the Spaniards and deceive their 
military authorities. The course was then changed 
and the Dixie w'as sent to warn General Brooke at 
Cape San Juan. 




•^ 

G 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 385 

Port Guanica had been fully described by Lieu- 
tenant Whitney of General Miles' staff who had 
recently made an adventurous tour of Porto Rico. 
Ponce, which was situated ten or fifteen miles from 
it, was to the eastward and a harder place to take. 
In addition, the water at Ponce was too shallow for 
the transports to be able to get close inshore. Then, 
again, Ponce itself was some little distance from 
where the troops would have been able to land if 
that point had been selected for the first debarka- 
tion of the expedition. 

One advantage Guanica afforded was that it 
was situated close to the railroad connection with 
Ponce, which means of transportation our troops 
hoped to secure. Early on the morning of the 26th, 
the Gloucester, in charge of Lieutenant-Commander 
Wainwright, steamed into Guanica harbor in order 
to reconnoiter the place. AVith the fleet waiting 
outside, the gallant little fighting yacht braved the 
mines which were supposed to be in the harbor, and 
found that there were five fathoms of water close 
inshore. 

Guanica Bay is a quiet place, surrounded by cul- 
tivated lands. In the rear are hio^h mountains, and 
close to the beach nestles a village of about twenty 
houses. 

The Spaniards were completely taken by surprise. 
Almost the first they knew of the approach of the 
army of invasion was in the announcement contained 



386 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

in the firing of a giin from the Gloucester, demand- 
ing that the Spaniards haul down their flag, which 
was floating from a flagstaff in front of a blockhouse 
standing to the east of the village. The first couple 
of three-pounders were fired into the hills right and 
left of the bay, purposely avoiding the town lest the 
projectiles hurt women or children. The Gloucester 
then hove to within about 600 yards of the 
shore and lowered a launch, having on board a Colt 
rapid-fire gun and thirty men, under the command of 
Lieutenant Huse, which reached shore without 
encountering opposition. 

Quartermaster Beck thereupon told Yeoman Lacy 
to haul down the Spanish flag, which was done, and 
they raised on the flagstaff the first United States 
flag to float over Porto Eican soil. Suddenly, about 
thirty Spaniards opened fire with Mauser rifles on 
the American party. Lieutenant Huse and his men 
responded with great gallantry, the Colt gun doing 
effective work. Normen, who received Cervera's 
surrender, and Wood, volunteer lieutenant, shared 
the honors with Lieutenant Huse. 

Almost immediately after the Spaniards fired on 
the Americans the Gloucester opened fire on the 
enemy with all her three and six-pounders which 
could be brought to bear, shelling the town and also 
dropping shells into the hills to the west of Guanica, 
where a number of Spanish cavalry were to be seen 
hastening toward the spot where the Americans had 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 387 

landed. Lieutenant Huse then threw up a little 
fort, which he named Fort AVainwright. He laid 
barbed wire in the street in Trout of it in order to 
repel the expected cavalry attack. The lieutenant 
also mounted the Colt g^un and sio;naled for reinforce- 
ments, which were sent from the Gloucester. 

While the Mausers were peppering all around, 
Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright said : 

" They fired on us after their flag was down and 
ours was up, and after I spared the town for the 
sake of the women and children. The next town I 
strike I will blow up." 

Presently a few of the Spanish cavalry joined 
those who were fighting in the street of Guanica, but 
the Colt barked to a purpose, killing four of them. 
By that time the Gloucester had the range of the 
town and of the blockhouse and all her guns were 
spitting fire, the doctor and paymaster helping to 
serve the guns. 

Soon afterward, white-coated, galloping cavalry- 
men were seen climbing the hills to the westward 
and the foot soldiers were scurrying along the fences 
from the town. By 9:45, with the exception of a 
few guerrillas, the town was won and the enemy 
driven out of its neighborhood. The Red Cross 
nurses on the Lampasas and a detachment of regu- 
lars were the first to land from the transports. After 
Lieutenant Huse had captured the place he deployed 
his small force into the suburbs. But he was soon 



388 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

reinforced by the regulars, who were foUowed by 
Company G of the Sixth Illinois and then by other 
troops in quick succession. 

All the boats of the men-of-war and transports 
were used in the work of landing the troops, each 
steam launch towing four or five boats loaded to the 
rails with soldiers. Everything progressed in an 
orderly manner. 

General Miles went ashore at about noon, after 
stopping to board the Gloucester and thank Lieu- 
tenant-Commander Wainwright for his gallant 
action. 

The general said : 

" Guanica and Cinga are in the disaffected portion 
of the island. Matto, the insurgent leader, lives at 
Yauco, a few miles inland. Had we landed at Cape 
San Juan a line of rifle pits might have stopped our 
advance." 

The spirit of the troops, men and officers, was 
admirable. The Massachusetts and Illinois contin- 
gents, which had been cooped up on board the Yale 
and Kita for a fortnight, were eager to get ashore 
and were protected by the artillery before a serious 
advance began. 

Guanica was the most lively spot yet occupied by 
our forces. It was the seat of the coffee and sugar 
industries, and large herds of cattle were pasturing 
in the meadows, \a hich were bordered by cocoanut 
palms. Many head of cattle and a large number of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 380 

horses had been driven into the mountains by their 
owners, some of which were captured. There were 
fifteen lai-ge coasters at Guanica Bay, but only two 
barges were captured. 

It was feared that the Spanish garrison from Ponce 
might try to surprise the Americans at night, and 
every precaution was taken against it. The main 
fight, until San Juan de Porto Rico was reached, 
would be ah)ng the line of the splendid military 
road leading from Ponce to San Juan. Every pre- 
caution was taken to lessen casualties, even to the 
use of the street-shields, of which a supply was 
brought with the expedition. 

The health of the troops was excellent, except 
among the Massachusetts men. They had been 
packed on the Yale for about fifteen days and thirty 
cases of typhoid fever had developed among the 
soldiers. Paiker, of the Sixth Massachusetts, died 
on Friday and was buried at sea. 

The Dixie, which had been almost around the 
island, had not seen any men-of-war or transports 
except the New Orleans, which was blockading the 
port of San Juan de Porto Rico. 

The campaign of General Miles was more like a 
grand triumphal procession in a friendly country 
than the invasion of a hostile land for the purpose 
of conquest. On July 28tli the city of Ponce was 
formally turned over to the Americans. 

Ferdinand Toro, the British consul, acting in be- 



390 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

half of tlie Spaniards, placed the town and port in 
possession of Major- General Nelson A. Miles, with 
whom at the time of surrender was General Wilson. 
The scene was more like that of a gala day than one 
involving the surrender of the city. A majority of 
the residents remained in the city to welcome the 
Americans. The ceremony was unique. General 
Miles and General Wilson, by a prearranged plan, 
drove from the American headquarters at Port Ponce 
to Casa del Rey, in the city proper, where Consul 
Toro and Ulpiano Colon, the mayor, awaited them. 

The Bombero, or city fire brigade, was drawn 
up in La Llada de Delicia, opposite Del Key, 
and as General Miles and General Wilson left 
their carriages the fire brigade band played 
American airs, A guard in front of the building 
forced a way for the American generals and through 
the cheering crowd they walked into the building, 
where they were presented to Consul Toro and 
Mayor Colon. 

Consul Toro said to General Miles that the citi- 
zens of Ponce were anxious to know if the same 
municipal officers and system as had been in vogue 
would be continued temporarily. He was assured 
that municipal affairs would not be disturbed for 
the time being, and that the same local officials 
would serve. But it was explained that they would 
be, nevertheless, responsible to General Wilson as 
military governor, who would keep the city under a 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 391 

form of martial law, but a form oppressive to none. 
General Miles and General Wilson tben stepped 
out on the balcony to view the square. The crowd 
cheered wildly and they hastily withdrew. They 
received an ovation as they made their way to head- 
quarters. Mayor Colon, after the conference, said 
he was glad the Americans had come. The island 
now would enjoy prosperity and peace, and the best 
citizens wanted the Americans to take possession. 

The political prisoners in the Cuartel de Infan- 
taria were released by the Americans. Redolf 
Figeroa was saved in the nick of time from being 
sliot by the Spaniards. He was charged with hav- 
ing cut the telegraph wire between Ponce and San 
Juan the night before. It was his plan to prevent 
the authorities in Ponce from sending to San Juan 
for reinforcements. He had been led from his cell 
to be executed, l)ut when the Americans entered the 
harbor the Spaniards fled and Figeroa escaped. 

Some men who had been political prisoners for 
years were released. The anchors of the American 
vessels had scarcely touched the bottom of the harbor 
before the ships were surrounded by boats filled with 
citizens shouting "Vive Americanos !" 

The flags of all nations except Spain floated from 
houses in the city as a protection against destruc- 
tion. On signal houses were the flags of no less 
than six nations. Those citizens who had fled by 
evening began to return from the hills. They 



393 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

brouaht tlieir treasures back to the banks and stores 
from which they had taken them for fear they would 
be lost. The stores were opened again in the even- 
ing. 

The Second and Third Wisconsin troops scouted 
over the hills for lurking Spaniards. The Mobile, 
with the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, left 
Culchra Island, accompanied by the Cincinnati, and 
arrived at Ponce at noon. The Pennsylvania troops 
patroled the city. Macadam roads extended from 
this city to San Juan, the distance being about 100 
miles. These roads cost $25,000,000, and there were 
seven towns between Ponce and San Juan. All of 
these towns were to be taken, but only two — Albonito 
and Cagnas — were fortified. The roads wound 
through the mountains, and afforded ample oppor- 
tunity for the Spaniards to await the American 
troops in ambush, making the march a slow one. 

The landing of the American forces was greatly 
simplified by the capture of many lighters, which 
were used for the men and horses. A large quantity 
of coal was also seized. General Macias and Colonel 
San Martin, who had been ordered by the governor- 
general to fight the Americans, decided to resist 
until shortly before the American troops arrived. It 
was at the solicitation of all of the consuls that the 
Spaniards retreated to the mountains. The garrison 
of 1,200 regulars and many volunteers remained and 
welcomed the Americans. The Spanish soldiers on 




o 









HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 393 

the island were said to number in all 7,000 regulars 
and 5,000 volunteers. It was thought that the ex- 
pedition to be landed at Fajardo would form a junc- 
tion with the army at Ponce. 

Colonel Allen arranged to operate a cable fi'om 
Ponce, and went to St. Thomas for a conference with 
the cable company about the matter. A message 
that Spain had opened peace negotiations was deliv- 
ered to him before he left. Official circulars had 
been distributed in Ponce advisino: the citizens to 
obey Genei'al Wilson and praising him. These cir- 
culars declared that prosperity would come with the 
American invasion. The political prisoners who 
were released besieged the American camp, asking 
for food, saying they had been starving for days, 
and weeping with joy at the kind treatment accorded 
to them. 

The cafes at night were filled with Spaniards 
drinking to the health of the Americans. Our men 
were welcomed into the very best homes of the 
citizens. It was finally decided to use Ponce, in- 
stead of Guanica, as a base by the Americans, the 
harbor at Guanica being unsatisfactory for the pur- 
pose. 

After the Mindora left the port of Ponce, an 
American Avarship reported that firing had been 
heard seven miles out. The American scouts and 
the retreating Spaniards were thought to have 
clashed. The Spaniards Avere said to have twenty- 



394 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

four pieces of artillery, and it was feared that in 
retreating from Ponce they formed a junction with 
another body of Spanish regulars and hastened to get 
the guns placed in the mountains. 

The American scouting force was increased, but 
it probably would be several days before the Span- 
ish artillerymen could be dislodged. On the sur- 
render of Ponce, July 28th, General Miles issued the 
following proclamation to the people of the conquered 
district : 

** In the prosecution of the war against the Kingdom of 
Spain by the people of the United States, in the cause of 
liberty, justice and humanity, its military forces have come to 
occupy the island of Porto Eico. They come bearing the 
banners of freedom, inspired by a noble purpose, to seek the 
enemies of our government and of yours and to destroy or 
eapture all in armed resistance. 

*' They bring you the fostering arms of a free people, 
whose greatest power is justice and humanity to all living 
within their fold. Hence they release you from your former 
political relations and it is hoped this will be followed by 
your cheerful acceptance of the government of the United 
States. 

** The chief aim of the American military forces will be to 
overthrow the authority of Spain and give the people of your 
beautiful island the largest measure of liberty consistent with 
this military occupation. They have not come to make war 
on the people of the country who for centuries have been 
oppressed, but on the contrary they bring protection not 
only to yourselves, but to your property, promote your pros- 
perity and bestow the immunities and blessings of our enlight- 
ened and liberal institutions and government. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 395 

*' It is not their purpose to interfere with the existing laws 
and customs which are wholesome and beneficial to the peo- 
ple, so long as they conform to the rules of the military 
administration, order and justice. This is not a war of 
devastation and desolation, but one to give all within the 
control of the military and naval forces the advantages and 
blessings of enlightened civilization." 

He made the following official report of the cap- 
ture of Ponce : 

*'PoRT Ponce, Porto Eico, via St. Thomas, July 29. — 
Secretary of War, Washington: On the 26th Garretson had a 
spirited engagement on skirmish line. Our casualties four 
wounded, all doing well. Spanish loss three killed, thirteen 
wounded. Yauco occupied yesterday. Henry's division 
there to-day. Last evening Commander Davis of the Dixie 
moved into this port, followed by Captain Higginson with his 
fleet early this morning. General Wilson with Ernest's 
brigade now rapidly disembarking. 

" Spanish troops are retreating from southern part Porto 
Rico. Ponce and joort have population 50,000 now under 
American flag. The populace received troops and saluted the 
flag with wild enthusiasm. Navy has several prizes, also 
seventy lighters. Railway stock partly destroyed, now re- 
stored. Telegraph communication also being restored. Cable 
instruments destroyed. Have sent to Jamaica for others. 

"This is a prosperous and beautiful country. The army 
will soon be in mountain region; weather delightful. Troops 
in best of health and spirits; anticipate no insurmountable 
obstacles in future. Results thus far have been accomplished 
without loss of a single life. 

"Nelson A. Miles, Major-General." 

The official report of the excellent work the navy 



396 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

did in the landing was included in the following 
report : 

" St. Thomas, July 29, IT. S. S. Massachusetts — Ponce, 
Porto Rico, July 28. — Commander Davis, with Dixie, An- 
napolis, "Wasp, and Gloucester, left Guanica July 27th to 
blockade Ponce and capture lighters for United States army. 
City of Ponce and Playo surrendered to Commander Davis 
upon demand at 12:30 A. M., July 28th. American flag 
hoisted 6 a. m., 28th. Sj)anish garrison evacuated. Pro- 
visional articles of surrender until occupation by army. 
First, garrison to be allowed to retire; second, civil govern- 
ment to remain in force; third, police and fire brigade to be 
maintained without arms; fourth, captain of port not to 
be made prisoner. 

" Arrived at Ponce from Guanica with Massachusetts and 
Cincinnati, General Miles and transport at 6:40 A. M., 28th. 
Commenced landing army in captured sugar lighters. No 
resistance. Troops welcomed by inhabitants; great enthu- 
siasm. Captured sixty lighters, twenty sailing vessels, and 
120 tons of coal. (Signed) Higginson".'' 

There was a newspaper report that the Spaniards, 
before the evacuation of Ponce, endeavored to poison 
the wells, and were prevented by the local police, 
and as they could have secretly accomplished this 
dastardly act had they desired, the story was no 
doubt a fabrication on the part of some ambitious 
correspondent. 

General Miles established his headquarters at the 
custom house. The port was open to trade and 
customs began to flow in. No forward movement 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 39T 

was made at once, for the general determined to be 
fully prepared before an advance began. The trans- 
ports Avith General Brooke's array corps and the 
remainder of the First Corps were slow in arriving, 
and it was determined to remain quietly at Ponce 
until tlie bulk of the army had disembarked. 

After dusk on the evening of the 28th General 
Wilson advanced General Ernest's brigade, consist- 
ing of the Second and Third Wisconsin and the Six- 
teenth Pennsylvania regiments, a mile and a half on 
the military road, retaining only two companies of 
the Pennsylvania regiment to act as provost guard 
in the city. Captain Allison was appointed provost 
marshal, and, with the aid of the local constabulary, 
preserved excellent order, although almost the entire 
population of the cit}^ remained in the streets cele- 
brating the arrival of their American liberators un- 
til long after midnight. 

During the night all sorts of wild rumors were 
brought in to General Wilson. The first was that 
the Spanish were to attack the city in force. In view 
of this a strong line of outposts was maintained by 
General Ernest, and the men slept on their arms. 
This report, however, soon gave way to rumors that 
the Spanish were retreating, putting entire villages 
to the torch, and murdering and ravishing as they 
went. Some of the wealthy plantation owners of 
the vicinity became hori'or-stricken, and appealed 
wildly to General Wilson to dis2^atch troops to the 



398 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

rescue, but it was manifestly impossible to divide so 
small a force. None of the reports were confirmed 
when daylight came, except that the Spaniards w^ere 
in full retreat. The town of Juan a Diaz, reported 
to have been burned, was standing next morning. 

General Jose Garcia, who was in immediate com- 
mand of the Spanish regulars, not believed to num- 
ber more than 500, was deserted by most of the 
Spanish volunteers in his command during the night, 
who began straggling back to the city with the 
dawn. They immediately presented themselves to 
the provost marshal and surrendered their arms. 

The appearance of the volunteers aroused in the 
breast of the natives who had suffered at their hands 
in the past, especially the political prisoners who 
were released, a desire for revenge, and they began 
to ferret out all the Spaniards in the city who had 
ever been in the volunteer service and dragged them 
to the plaza. Bloodhounds could not have been 
more savage. Most of the Spaniards in hiding, upon 
being discovered, were brought in triumph by hoot- 
ing, jeering mobs to General Wilson's headquarters, 
or to the provost marshal's office in the municipal 
building. Some of the natives even began looting 
the residences of the Spaniards. They mistook lib- 
erty for license, and were crazed with a thirst for 
vengeance. 

General Wilson, however, soon taught them that 
revenge could not be wreaked under the protection 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 399 

of our flag, and peremptorily ordered that the arrest 
of Spanish suspects should cease. Such volunteers 
as presented themselves were, however, received and 
released after their names had been taken, all to re- 
port next day and be formally paroled. Many of 
them had been forced into the service of Spain to 
escape persecution. 

Business in the city enjoyed a great revival imme- 
diately after the arrival of the Americans. 

AVithout seeing or hearing anything of the enemy, 
the advance guard of General Henry's division, 
which landed at Guanica on Tuesday, arrived at 
Ponce on the 29th, taking en route the cities of 
Yauco, Tallabo, Sabana Grand and Ponules. At- 
tempts by the Spaniards to blow up bridges and 
otherwise destroy the railroad between Yauco and 
Ponce failed, only a few flat cars being burned. 
Our troops fired up the locomotives, and opei'ated 
the road from end to end, carrying supplies, messages 
and men. 

At Yauco the Americans were welcomed in an 
address by the alcalde, and a public proclamation 
was issued, dated " Yauco, Porto Rico, United States 
of America, July 27." Major Webb Hayes, of the 
Sixth Ohio, son of former President Hayes, hauled 
up the flag on the palace amid cheers from the popu- 
lace. The people seemed really glad that the Amer- 
icans had come, but they feared an uprising of the 
natives in the interior, who, it was asserted, would 



400 HISTORY OF THE \YAR WITH SPAIN. 

rob, kill and destroy property in revenge for many 
years of Spanish misrule. General Henry made a 
re]3ort to tliis effect to General Miles, and advised 
that a guard be left to protect the captured cities. 
The empty transports on the 29th left for Tampa. 

A deleiration of the nurses of the Red Cross 
Society from the liosj^ital ship Lampasas waited on 
General Henry at Guanica and asked to be allowed 
to return home with the sick. They said their 
supplies had given out, and that the conditions on 
their ship, which was crowded with patients, were 
terrible. 

General Miles was in constant communication 
with all his forces, and kept the artillery steadily in 
advance. In two days he had the entire army 
encamped along the military road to San Juan, 
ready for the cautious advance on the capital of the 
island. 

On the 31st he sent the following dispatch to the 
War Department : 

'^PoxcE, Porto Eico, July 31, 1898, 3:35 p. M.— Secre- 
tary of War, Washington, D. C: Four telegrams received, 
and answered by letter. 

" Volunteers are surrendering themselves, with arms and 
ammunition. Four-fifths of the people are overjoyed at the 
arrival of the army. Two thousand from one place have vol- 
unteered to serve with it. They are bringing in beef, cattle, 
and other needed supplies. The custom house has already 
yielded $14,000. 




1. — At the Hospital. 



5. — EamMING a ( II \i 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 401 

"As soon as all the troops are disembarked they will be in 
readiness to move. 

** Please send all national colors that can be spared, to be 
given to the different municipalities. 

"I request that the question of the tariff rates to be charged 
in the ports of Porto Eico occupied by our forces be submitted 
to the President for his action, the j)reviously existing tariff 
remaining meanwhile in force. 

''As to the government and military occupation, I have 
already given instructions based npon the instructions issued 
by the President in the case of the Philippine Islands, and 
similar to those issued at Santiago de Cuba. 

"Miles, Major-General Commanding." 

On the 31st of July the second part of General 
Miles' army of invasion arrived at Samana Bay, on 
the northeastern coast of Hayti. The gunboat An- 
napolis was scouting off the westei'n end of Porto 
Rico to convoy General Brooke's transports when 
they should appeal". 

The monitor Puritan arrived off San Juan, and on 
the next day Captain-General Macias, in command 
of the Spanish forces in Porto Eico, ca})led that 
several American ^val'ships and transports loaded 
with troops were off San Juan, and that he was ex- 
pecting to be attacked at any time. The city of San 
Juan continued quiet, although all the batteries were 
kept manned in constant expectation of an attack. 
Communication between San Juan and all points in 
the district of Ponce had been cut off 

As early as August 1st the American troops at 



402 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Ponce began gradual and cautious advances north- 
ward on the great military road leading from that 
city to San Juan. The army of invasion had so far 
been favored with excellent weather. The temper- 
ature was normal, and the men in splendid condition. 
As they advanced they grew more and more enthu- 
siastic over the country ; so different from any they 
had ever seen before. The j^erennial green, the end- 
less summer with a gentle climate captivated the 
volunteers, many of whom vowed to make this new 
possession their home at the termination of their 
service in the army. 

On August 1st, four companies of Pennsyl- 
vania volunteers were encamped at a point eight 
miles beyond the city of Ponce. From the manner 
in which General Miles kept the volunteer troops 
in the advance, it was evident that he had full con- 
fidence in them. On the day before Colonel Hulings 
with ten companies of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania 
occupied Juan Diaz, ten miles from Ponce on the 
way to San Juan. The American flag was raised 
amid the wildest cheers and shouts of enthusiasm of 
the overjoyed populace. 

Late on the afternoon of July 31st General 
Brooke arrived at Ponce with several companies of 
the Nineteenth Regulars on the transport Cherokee. 

On the same day Mr. Richard Harding Davis 
wrote of the city : 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 403 

" The occupation of this city was carried on Avith 
as much thorousjhnessand as little friction asthouf'h 
the United States had made a practice of picking up 
rich islands for the last hundred years. The army 
has been here four days now and the custom house is 
already open for business ; the wrecked railroad has 
been put in motion by General Stone and telegraph 
offices have been opened. 

" Shutters have been taken down from the win- 
dows of stores and cafes. No stranger entering the 
city would believe that three days ago the frightened 
inhabitants were locked inside their houses, and that 
business of all kinds was paralyzed. Good order is 
maintained in the city by the Pennsylvania and 
AVisconsin volunteers who guard it with discretion 
and judgment. There has not been the slightest 
conflict or rioting. Ponce is the most important city 
in the island, next to San Juan. Fearing that Ponce 
will be selected as the capital of a more prosperous 
people, they will desire to conciliate the Americans. 
Their influence will thus be given in favor of throw- 
ing open San Juan to the invaders. 

" The captain of a vessel engaged in the coasting 
trade asked permission yesterday to clear for neigh- 
boring Porto Rican ports and to dispose of his cargo. 
His request was granted. He then raised a question 
for which there was no answer in American history 
by asking if he should fly the American or Spanish 
flag. 



404 HISTORY OF THE WAR ^YITH SPAIN. 

" If he set the Spanish ilng the warships in the 
harbor would seize his vessel as a prize ; if he flew 
the American flag he could visit no otlierport in the 
island except Guanica withont being thrown into 
jail. 

" General Brooke and his transports have not yet 
arrived. The army will halt here until tliey appear. 

"In Ponce to-day the American flag will be raised 
with much ceremony over the city hnll and 40,000 
persons. So many villages and towns have asked to 
be i)laced under the protection of the flag that 
General Miles has cal)led for a supply of colors. 

"About the only thing this expedition seems to 
lack is the flags of its own country. No one could 
have foreseen that the colors would be so extremely 
popular and would be wanted so soon." 

The advance of the army seemed more like a 
triumphal ovation than the march of conquerors 
through a hostile land. Often the paths of the soldiers 
were strewn wnth flowers. The city of Yauco did 
not wait to be captured, but surrendered, and the 
alcalde issued a proclamation expressing delight at 
the annexation, and administration of General Miles, 
welcoming the American troops. 

The following is the text of the Yauco proclama- 
tion 

" Citizens: To-day the citizens of Porto Rico assist in one 
of the most beautiful feasts. The sun of America shines 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 405 

upon our mountains and valleys this day of July, 1898. It is 
a day of glorious remembrance for each son of this beloved 
isle, because for the first time there waves over her the flag 
of the Stars and Stripes, planted in the name of the govern- 
ment of the United States of America, by the Major-General 
of the American army, Senor Miles. 

" Porto Eicans, we are, by the miraculous intervention of 
the God of the just, given back to the bosom of our mother, 
America, in whose waters nature has placed us as people of 
America. To her we are given back in the name of her 
government by General Miles, and we must send our most 
expressive salutation of generous affection through our con- 
duct toward the valiant troops represented by distinguished 
officers and commanded by the illustrious General Miles. 

" Citizens, long live the government of the United States 
of America. 

"Hail to their valiant troops! 

"Hail Porto Eico, always American! 

"El Alcalde Francisco Miaga. 

" Yauco, Porto Eico, United States of America." 

General Miles issued a long order of instructions 
to General Wilson, military governor of Ponce prov- 
ince and city until General Brooke's arrival. It was 
of the same tenor as the instructions whicli General 
Miles gave to General Shafter at Santiago. Both 
orders were leased on the administration instructions 
given to General Merritt regarding the government 
of the Philippine Islands. The local mayor and 
judges and police were to remain in authority, sub- 
ject to the orders of General AVilson. The custom 



406 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

house offices were also conducted as formerly for the 
present. 

Chaplain Chidwick, of the Cincinnati, formerly of 
the Maine, introduced to General Wilson two of the 
leading Jesuits of Ponce, representing 1,000 churches 
and their dependents in the province. The priests 
wanted information regarding their support, and 
General AVilson said that under the Constitution of 
the United States it was not possible to aj^ply gov- 
ernmental money for church purposes. Father 
Chidwick said it would be all the better for the 
church if its own people learned to contribute to its 
support. 

By the 3d of August nine Porto Rican towns were 
reported to have fallen. No serious opposition was 
met until the army of invasion reached Guayama, 
August 6th. 

Guayama had 16,000 inhabitants and was the 
most important town on the south side of the island 
except Ponce. General Brooke, who landed at 
Arroyo with his troops, wanted Guayama as a base, 
and it was upon his orders that General Haines and 
his brigade proceeded to occupy it. Guayama was 
but five miles inland from Arroyo, the latter being 
its seaport. 

It was on the road which led to the main one, 
terminating at San Juan, on the north coast. It 
was known that there was some Spanish cavalry 
about, and the troops proceeded cautiously along 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 407 

the road to witbiii a mile of tlie town. The road 
was level at that point, and there was no sign of 
Spaniards anywhere. The last mile of the road 
runs through a cut in tlie mountain and up a 
steep hill. Before this point was reached the Third 
Illinois sto2:>ped, and Colonel Bennett was ordered to 
guard the crossroad leading to the rear of the city. 
The advance guard of the Ohio regiment entered the 
cut and had proceeded less than two hundred yards 
when a hailstorm of Spanish bullets on both sides of 
the mountain whistled over their heads. The guards 
fell back, firing as they retreated, and the main body 
hurried forward, also firing up the hillsides. 

Further along the road the Americans were sud- 
denly confronted by a barricade constructed of 
structural iron works and filled in with sand. As 
the United States troops advanced, the Spaniards 
began firing from behind the barricade. Their 
shots, however, were wild, most of them passing over 
the heads of the American soldiers. 

Deploying parties were sent up the hill to flank 
the Spaniards, and as they advanced they found 
barbed wire fences in evidence, as had been the case 
at Santiago. These were quickly cut with the 
machetes, of which there were quite a number in 
possession of the Americans, and in a short time 100 
Americans had lushed up the hill and lined the road 
upon both sides. 

A Gatling fire w\^s then poured into the Spanish 



408 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

barricade, and almost instantly firing from that 
quarter ceased. The Spaniards mysteriously dis- 
appeared, but the men from Ohio continued to pour 
in their volleys of bullets upon the sand and iron. 

After reaching the hilltop the deployers began 
directing their shots ahead, and the balance of the 
Americans pushed forward, firing as they advanced. 
The enemy w^as in concealment, and finally the fire 
of the Spaniards was drawn. They began discharg- 
ing their weapons with great rapidity, and wounded 
several Americans. The stand made by the Spanish 
was a short one, the American fire becoming so hot 
that the dons retreated precipitately. 

After the Spaniards had been driven uj) the road, 
the Americans entered the city. There was some 
desultory firing on the part of the Spaniards 
as the Americans approached the place, but no 
damage was done. As the troops approached the 
town a man appeared waving a white shirt. He 
announced that the town surrendered to the Ameri- 
cans un condition all 3^ As General Haines entered 
the city it appeared to be deserted. All of the 
houses were closed, and no one was in sight. As he 
reached the pul)lic square suddenly doors were 
sw^ung open and windo^vs flung up. Heads appeared, 
their owners anxiously scanned the situation, and 
then withdrew. 

After repeating this several times, and finding 
that they were neither to be shot nor dragged from 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH STAIN. 409 

their homes the people emerged, and soon tlie streets 
were ringing with shouts of "Viva los Ameiicanos !" 
The inhabitants rushed toward Genei-al ITaiiies and 
his staff, and clasped many of the American soldiers 
about their necks and kissed them. IMan}^ pros- 
trated themselves in the road, and all the while 
the cries of "Viva los Americanos !" were iini:riuir 
through the air. 

As soon as the Americans recovered from this 
attack General Haines ordered the Stars and Sti'ipes 
to be raised over the public building, whei-eat tliere 
was great cheering and shouting. General Haines 
collected men and stationed them in every street 
entering the town, and then sent companies out 
scouting. They had hai'dly got started when a 
bombardment of the town was begun by the Span- 
iards, who had returned to the hills and poured shot 
down into the city; but they were soon driven off, 
and this time for good. 

During the attack of the Spaniards upon the 
town they showed a reckless disregard for the safety 
of their own people. As the bullets struck the 
houses in the town there was a rush to places of 
safety on the part of the inhabitants. After the 
Spaniards had been driven off there was a renewal 
of the scenes of enthusiasm, and the cheers for the 
United States were resumed. 

Three towns in the northeastern section of Porto 
Rico, including Fajardo, wdiich was originally talked 



410 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

of as the point selected for the first landing of Gen- 
eral Miles' army, surrendered to the United States 
forces. The Americans thereby secured control of 
the entire northeastern section of Porto Rico. 

The occupation of Cape San J-uan was the signal 
for the usual demonstrations of joy on the part of 
the inhabitants. The coast was relighted, and brass 
bands and cheerini? crowds were features of the new 
point of invasion. The Americans were within a 
very short march of San Juan, but it was believed 
that the town would never be attacked. 

Though overtures for peace had been made, no 
armistice had been granted, and the conquest of 
Porto Ivico was to continue until Spain conceded to 
the terms laid down by the President. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 411 



CHAPTER XVIIL 

MANILA AGAIN MORE TROUBLE WITH AGUINALDO 

GENERAL MERRITT ARRIVES — FIRST LAND EN- 
GAGEMENT GENERAL GREENe's LINES ATTACKED 

DURING A TYPHOON ENEMY REPULSED. 

The complications in tlie Philippines were daily 
growing more and more serious. The department at 
Washington awaited with the greatest anxiety the 
strange course events at Manila were taking. The 
insurgent leader, Aguinaldo, as has been seen, was 
giving Dewey great trouble. Since the destruction 
of Cervera's fleet the Germans had been less bold in 
their demeanor, and professed the utmost friendship 
for the Americans. 

On July 25, 1898, General Merritt arrived at 
Manila in the Newport. The Newport was escorted 
to an anchorage near the cruiser Charleston by the 
gunboat Concord, the crews of the vessels of the 
American fleet giving her a rousing welcome. Soon 
after his arrival General Merritt paid an oflicial visit 
to Rear-Admiral Dewey on board the Olympia, where 
they fully discussed the entire situation. 

An incident that happened just before the arrival 



413 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

of Merritt illustrated the state of affairs and the 
esteem in which Dewey Mas held. The McCulloch 
being ordered to the north side of the bay, started 
on her course, which would have taken her close in 
front of the city batteries. Admiral Dewey, who 
was entertaining the Belgian consul aboard the flag- 
ship, told the flag lieutenant to make signal for the 
McCulloch's recall, saying he would not allow her 
to go so close to the Spanish guns as to appear like 
bravado, and thus possibly cause the Spaniards to 
attack her. The admiral said General Auccusti had 
kept his promise not to open on his ships, and he 
would not permit them to disturb the status quo. 

The Belgian consul asked whether he was at 
liberty to mention Dewey's remarks to Augusti 
when he returned to Manila, to which the admiral 
assented. Having told Augusti, the consul returned 
aboard the Olympia the next day and informed the 
admiral that the captain-general said he regarded 
Dewey as a gallant officer and a man of honor, whom 
he would like to meet. 

At the close of his visit to the Olympia, Admiral 
Dewey's flagship. General Merritt was officially 
recognized by a salute of thirteen guns. The general 
was unable to determine his future course until he 
had received the reports of the officers who preceded 
him, and familiarized himself with the situation. 
The remaining transports with the monitor Monterey 
were expected soouo 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 413 

The American troops brought in the first expedi- 
tion were landed at Parauaja, and had not been 
moved on account of the condition of the country, 
Avhich was rendered almost impassable between 
Manila and the camp by the heavy rains. 

General Merritt found the insurgents still active 
but accomplishing nothing. The combats had been 
more on the guerrilla fashion, and unaided they 
might have fought a century before Manila was 
captured. 

Admiral Dewey's dispatch to Washington on July 
30th had considerable influence over the peace nego- 
tiations then under consideration. The advices 
from General Merritt and Admiral Dewey were laid 
before the special cabinet meeting and discussed at 
length. Dewey's dispatch announced the arrival of 
General Merritt, and stated Aguinaldo had assumed 
a defiant attitude, and that a large force would be 
required to subdue the re])el chief. 

General Merritt's dispatch, which was made 
public, gave an inkling of the serious trouble ahead. 
He said : " All troops assigned to me Avill pro})ably 
be needed." This prediction illustrated that the 
military governor of the Philippines quickly grasped 
the real problem confronting him, namely, the dis- 
ciplining of the refractory Aguinaldo. 

General Merritt's assertion that all the troops 
under his command would be needed in the opera- 
tions against Manila signified that neither the com- 



-tli HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

raanding general nor Admiral Dewey trusted Aguin- 
aldo very far. 

If there had been absolute harmony between the 
insurgents and the Americans very few Yankee 
troops would have been needed. Manila was 
absolutely at the mercy of De\vey's guns, and half a 
dozen shots ouglit to have forced its surrender. 
Evidently General Merritt believed that the most 
serious problem would confront him after the capitu- 
lation. AVhether he had a sufficient force was a 
mooted point. He was on the other side of the 
world, and 20,000 men were not many if he had to 
confront the insurrectionists. 

The peace negotiations would be of no avail in 
settling any difference between Aguinaldo and the 
American array in Manila. If they resulted in 
the mere demand for a coaling station on our part 
the Filipinos might prove recalcitrant; and if, on the 
other hand, we concluded to absorb the entire archi- 
pelago, the status of Aguinaldo would be hard to fix. 

It was well known at Manila that affairs were 
reaching a crisis. The Spaniards were gradually 
realizing that Spain had not been victorious ; that 
the expected reinforcements were not coming, and 
the contest was utterly hopeless. The insurgents 
were in overwhelming numbers, and the Spaniards 
could only obtain the bare necessaries of life. 

Only a fortnight before, Spanish national piide 
was rampant ; but on Merritt's arrival it was merg- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 415 

ing into indignation at Spain's feeT)leness nnd regret 
that they were born Spaniards. While they would 
never surrender without a fight, the Spanish officers 
would seize the fiist honorable opportunity to capitu- 
late. They feared national disgrace too much to 
give up without a fight. 

The fighting in the suburbs was desultoiy, and 
the Americans idle. This had given rise to a report 
that they had determined to suspend operations until 
September, and by that time peace would probably 
be concluded. It was asserted that the Americans 
might permanently annex the Caroline Islands, the 
Ladrone Islands, and possibly abandon the Philip- 
pines, with the exception of keeping a coaling 
station. 

Althouoh the insurc^ents had redoubled their 
efforts they had been unable to capture the citadel. 
On the other hand, the Spaniards were not able to 
re-establish their suzerainty. Under the circum- 
stances it seemed evident that somebody must inter- 
fere in the name of humanity. 

Some insurgent shells had been thrown into the 
citadel, but they did not appear to have done much 
damage. 

The natives were rej)orted to be starving by thou- 
sands, and the Europeans were also hard pressed for 
food. 

No response was made to General Merritt's 
request, nor was any action taken toward giving him 



416 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the reinforcements that he wished. Secretary AJger 
decided not to take any steps toward sending rein- 
forcements until the character of Spain's reply to 
the peace proposals was known. If Spain rejected 
them the government would send General Merritt 
whatever force he called for. He had been sent to 
the Philippine Islands with plenary powers, and he 
would send him whatever backing he deemed 
necessary to carry out his orders. 

In the opinion of General Merritt, the attitude of 
the insurgents there w^as similar to that assumed by 
Garcia's Cubans upon the question of their rights to 
enter and possess themselves of the city, although in 
this case the insurgents were a very much more 
formidable element, being not only more numerous, 
but better armed, and filled with arrogance follow, 
ing numerous victories over their Spanish foes. 
General Merritt indicated that he would do his 
utmost to protect the citizens of Manila from the 
savagery of the insurgents, though his task was a 
dt^licate and difficult one, because of the fact that he 
nmst, while fighting the Spaniards, be ready at any 

nonient to repel their enemies. 
The American army began to advance on Manila 

^ ith the usual precaution, taking firm stands at 
every point. General Greene was in command of 
the advance. The first shot fired at the land troops 
was on July 29th. Private William Sterling, of 
Company K, First Nebraska Volunteers, while on. 




2. — Fjking a CJun. 



(i. — Wkttinc a Lkttki; Homk. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR \YITH SPAIN. -417 

outpost duty on Pasay road, was fired on by a Span- 
ish sharpshooter at long range, and struck on the 
arm Ly a spent Mauser ball. Though the wound 
was slight, it warned the soldiers of the near prox- 
imity of the enemy, and to have a care. Efforts 
were made to bring down the rascal w^ho did the 
firino-, but he husfsred the bushes and rocks too close 
to be found. 

Malate was a fortified town on the road from 
Cavite to Manila, and represented the closest ap- 
proach of the attack on the city proper. The insur- 
gents had invested the place, and several hotly con- 
tested engagements been fought there. Many natives 
and Spaniards had bitten the dust at Malate, and it 
was destined to be crimsoned with American blood. 
When the insurgents grew sullen and retired to pout 
and sulk, the American forces advanced and took 
possession of the places they had vacated. 

General Greene's force — about 4,000 in number 
— had been advancing and intrenching so that they 
might hold every foot of ground covered. On 
Sunday night, July 31st,Greene's forces had advanced 
until their line extended from Camino Real to the 
beach. During that day another expedition of 
troops under General McArthur arrived, but owing 
to the high surf landing was delayed. 

The Spanish were driven to frenzy by the con- 
tinual arrival of new troops, and the fury of soldiers 
and officers could no longer be restrained. Night 



418 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

fell dark and gloomy. Shortly after nightfall one 
of these terrible typhoons common at that season in 
the tropics set in. The wind blew a hurricane and 
the rain fell in such torrents that the Americans were 
nearly submerged in their trenches. The water 
rose rapidly and covered their feet and ankles. 

" Keep a sharp lookout, keep a lookout !" called 
the officers all along the line. 

A line of sentries had been placed some distance 
ahead of the intrencliments who strained their eyes to 
pierce the awful darkness. The thunder and roar of 
the tempest made it almost as impossible to hear the 
advance of an enemy as it was to see them. Almost 
all of General Greene's command was composed of 
volunteers. Among them were the Tenth Pennsyl- 
vania, First Colorado, and First California. Braver 
and better soldiers perhaps could not have been 
found anywhere. The Third Artillery was with 
them, making altogether an efficient force of excel- 
lent men, but few in numbers. 

Suddenly that black veil of night was rent asun- 
der by a gleam of liquid fire from the heavens, reveal- 
ing long lines of Spanish troops coming at a charge. 
The alarm was given in a moment and the pickets 
leaped back to the trenches. The black coat of mid- 
night gloom was reddened by the fierce flash of a 
thousand rifles and artillery. 

In a moment the fight was raging all along the 
line. The commands of the officers, calm and un- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 419 

moved amid typhoon and leaden bail encouraged the 
men, and they stood like a stone wall, receiving a 
baptism of fire and water at tlie same time. The 
insurgents had withdrawn from the right flank for a 
feast day's celebratiou,leaving that flank exposed to 
the fierce onslaught of the enemy. 

The Tenth Pennsylvania bore the brunt of the 
attack and checked the Spanish advance until the 
Utah Battery, the First California and two compa- 
nies of the Third Artillery, fighting as infantry, could 
get up and strengthen the right line. It was a 
dreadful night, and the Spaniards came on boldly 
through the darkness right up to the American 
iutrenchments. 

Though it was the first time any of the volunteers 
had been under fire they fought like veterans. With 
some diiSculty, owing to the darkness and muti, 
Captain Young got his Utah battery into position, 
and began enfilading the enemy's ranks. Though 
outnumbered, the Americans did not yield an inch 
Their fire was feai'ful and destructive. The volun- 
teers waited until they saw the flash of the enemy's 
guns and then sent their bullets straight. 

After a stubborn fight the Spaniards were beaten 
off, and fell back some distance in confusion. But 
they reformed and came on at a charge amid the 
most horrible yells. Some painter may yet make 
himself famous by reproducing on canvas that terri- 
ble scene. The red glare of lightning "painting 



420 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

hell on the sky," the angry flash of cannon, the dark- 
ened faces but dimly lighted, seeming fiends in 
conflict, while the dead and dying bluecoats and 
whitecoats lay on eveiy side. No other soldiers 
than Americans would have withstood that assault. 
They remained firm, and by well-directed volleys 
sent the enemy's columns reeling back over the hill. 
The Spaniards rallied again and made a third 
assault on the Americ. n lines, but this third and last 
was a very weak effoi'.'. It was more, however, than 
the Americans could ^i.dure, and with yells of angry 
demons they leapec 'om their ditches despite the 
warning cries of su iors, and pursued the enemy, 
shooting them dowr )y the score. The following 
is General Merritt's ■ port of the battle : 

" McArthnr's troops arrived on the 31st. No epidemic of 
sickness. There were five deaths. Lieutenant Kerr of the 
engineers, died of spinal meningitis. The landing was 
delayed on account of the high surf. To gain the approaches 
to the city, Green's outposts were advanced to continue the 
line from Camino Real to the beach Sunday night. The 
Spanish attacked sharply. The artillery outposts behaved 
well and held their position. It was necessary to call out a 
brigade. The Spanish loss is rumored heavy. Our loss in 
killed: 

*' Tenth Pennsylvania — John Brady, Walter Brown, Wil- 
liam E. Brinton, Jacob Hull, Jesse Noss, William Stillwagon. 

"First California — Maurice Just. 

'' Third Artillery— Eli Dawson. 

**First Colorado — Fred Springstead. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. -iU 

"Seriously wounded: 

" Tenth Pennsylvania — Sergeant Alva Walter, Privates 
Lee Snyder, Victor Holmes, C. S. Carter, Arthur Johnson. 

"First California — Captain R. Eichter, Private C. J. 
Edwards. 

"Third Artillery— Privates Charles Winfield, J. A. McEl- 
roth. 

"There are thirty-eight slightly wounded. 

(Signed) " Merritt." 

The loss at Malate was mi.^e than ordinarily dis- 
proportionate, though the tr^; jt Spanish figures 
could not l)e obtained. The ,*ritish admiral was 
quoted as authority for curren iport in Manila that 
the Spanish loss was betwee j^OO and 400 killed 
and nearly 1,000 wounded. - [irge as these figures 
may seem the}^ are possible, even in a night engage- 
ment, as there were between three and four hours of 
continuous fighting, some of it hand-to-hand, and all 
of it at a murderously close range. 

Tliere were between 3,000 and 3,500 Spaniards in 
the attack and onlj^ 900 Americans were in the con- 
flict. The Spanish had the advantnge of artillery. 
When the First California and Pennsylvania reserves 
advanced to the suppoit of the right wing, where 
the main body of Pennsylvnnians were battling like 
heroes, they were 'subjected, both on the Camina 
Real road and the beach, to a heavy fire, but there 
was neither hesitation nor wavering on their part. 

The Tenth Pennsylvania had but four rounds of 



423 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

ammunition when the reserves brought up fresh 
supplies. The Spaniards had made a dash through 
and 150 yards beyond the American right flank, 
when the Third Artillery, armed as infantrymen, 
pushed them back in confusion. The Pennsylvania 
and Utah batteries acted gallantly in the work. 

For some time after the assault the battle was 
renewed at long range. Rain-soaked and powder- 
stained, the Americans stuck to their guns for four- 
teen hours without relief. On the night of August 
1st the Spaniards resumed the firing, but by this 
time it had settled down to an artillery duel. Sjian- 
ish shells during the day killed William Spring- 
stead, of the First Colorado, and wounded Edward 
Zachary, of the same regiment, and Fred Field, of 
the First California. 

On the night of the 2d there was some desultory 
firing. P. Lewis of the First Nebraska was killed, 
and another private of the same regiment Avas 
wounded. This ended the battle, though nightly 
skirmishes continued. The ships took no part, but 
expected in a day or two, if General August! did 
not show the white flag, to give him a sample of 
American valor when it was led to an attack. 

There arose out of the battle a most serious ques- 
tion as to the attitude of Aguinaldo and the Fili- 
pinos. More than 500 of them quit the trenches on 
Sunday morning, leaving our right wing exposed. 
Though it was their feast day, it was believed they 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 423 

acted ill concert with the Spaniards. Practically, 
not a Filipino fought during all the engagement, and 
orders were issued that American troops should have 
no communication with the natives. 

It was lamentable that the fight occuiTed at all, 
as it was believed it could have been avoided by the 
efforts that were l)eing made to induce Augusti to 
surrender. Chaplains McKinnon and Doher, who 
were Catholics, attempted to enter Manila to treat 
with the archbishop. They were unsuccessful in 
the effort to pass the Spanish lines. 

The monitor Monterey and its convoy collier, the 
Brutus, arrived August 2d. They did not hoist the 
flag on the Carolines, but stopped at Guam, in the 
Ladrones, the port captured by the Charleston after 
an oj^era houffe encounter, and found everything 
quiet there, the inhabitants being contented under 
the American flag. 

The Monterey had an easy voyage, with fair 
weather most of the way, and the officers and crew 
stood the trip splendidly. They were given a tre- 
mendous welcome, as the Monterey made the pre- 
ponderance of American force in Manila Bay un- 
questionable. 

There had been six days of continuous storm, with 
heavy rains and wind, concluding with a genuine 
typhoon. This greatly delayed the landing of this 
expedition. Two lighters loaded with 400 men were 
wrecked on the beach in the heavy surf, but not a 



424 HISTORY OF JHE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

soldier drowned. The rains soaked the soldiers in 
the camps and filled the trenches. Still the men 
were not dispirited. Sickness, exclusive of the 
wounded, was remarkably limited, and the troops 
were ready for the attack, and the fall of Manila was 
expected just as soon as the men of the last exj^edi- 
tion could be landed. 

All the warships sent their boats and extra tackle 
ashore, preparing for action in the bombardment of 
the walled city and the batteries. Dewey's ships 
were once more stripped for action. Their maga- 
zines fairly groaned under the weight of recently 
arrived ammunition; the men ached to turn loose 
their great guns once more, and close the war they 
had so gallantly begun. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 425 



CHAPTER XIX. 

MILES CONTINUES TO ADVANCE ENEMY MOKE HOS- 
TILE — SKIRMISHES ALONG THE WAY — CAPTURE OF 
COAMA HALTED BY PEACE. 

Notwithstanding peace negotiations were nearing 
a conclusion, the American armies seemed determined 
to strike as many blows as possible before war 
was concluded. General Miles was pressing for- 
ward with all the energy of despair, fearing every 
moment he might be checked with news that peace 
had been declared. 

Five of the departments into which the island of 
Porto Rico \^as divided were occupied by the Ameri- 
can army of invaders. These departments were : 
Arecibo, with 124,835 inhabitants; Mayaguez, with 
116,982; Ponce, with 170,140; Guayama, with 98,- 
814, and Humacao, with 82,251. 

The movement upon San Juan, the capital, was 
well under way August Tth, and the beginning of 
the end of this wonderful campaign at hand. The 
American troops were headed for Arecibo, which is 
on the north coast, to the east of San Juan. It was 
believed that within ten days the entire island would 
be in possession of the United. States forces. There 



426 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

might be one or two battles, but they would be of 
little importance, according to the opinions of the 
military men. 

Schwan's brigade, the Eleventh and Nineteenth 
Regulars, and two batteries of light artillery, started 
at two o'clock, August 7th, for Arecibo. One bat- 
talion of the Nineteenth Infantry, and Colonel Black, 
with 500 Porto Rican laborers, took the Adjuntas 
road. Their ultimate destination was Arecibo, but 
they intended to repair the road on the Avay. All 
the expeditions were under way before dark. Gen- 
eral Schwan w^as accomf)auied by Colonel Fajardo, 
who had been commissioned by General Miles to 
command the First Regiment of Porto Rican Volun- 
teers. Schwan went to Yauco, thence to Sabana 
Grande and San German. The last-named place was 
an important city, with 30,000 inhabitants in its 
jurisdiction, and its people noted for their intense 
loyalty to Spain. 

The third city of importance on the island was 
Mayaguez, and to this place General Schwan would 
go, after making his way to Cabo Rojo. Mayaguez 
had the third largest garrison, which included a 
battalion of the Alfonso XIII. Regiment. Reports 
from there were to the effect that the Spaniards 
would make a stubborn resistance. The place was 
said to be easy to defend, and in addition there were 
some rather formidable fortifications. 

The next place of importance up the coast was 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 427 

Aetacio, after wliicli came Agiiadilla, on the north- 
west coast. Here there w^as another large Spanish 
garrison, but it was composed mostly of volunteers. 
All of these coast towns were important ones, and 
had from 10,000 to 30,000 inhabitants. Aguadilla 
was situated in a valley, surrounded upon all sides 
by mountains. On the north side of the place was 
a fort. The population was about three-fourths 
Spanish. At this place there was also expected to 
be a lively engagement between the American 
and Spanish forces, but the most serious battle be- 
fore that which was expected at San Juan might 
take place at Lares, a town in the interior. It was 
one of the most important strategic points on the 
island, and an easy one to defend. 

The American generals proceeded on the theory 
that they were to have fighting, although they would 
not have been surprised if the Spaniards in the ma- 
jority of cases either fled or surrendered, as had been 
the case with most of the towns thus occupied by 
the invading forces. 

It was reported that Spanish troops had been 
summoned from the surrounding country to Lares, 
where a number of modern guns had been mounted. 
General Schwan had with him 2,000 rifles and 
200,000 rounds of ammunition. When he reached 
Arecibo all of the island west of that place and 
Ponce would be in the possession of the Americans. 

Colonel Fajardo asserted that the people of the 



428 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

island, even in the Spanish towns, wanted American 
rule. 

The first troops to move on the 7th were the 
Second and Third Wisconsin, of General Ernst's 
brigade. The Sixteenth Pennsylvania moved the 
day before to the Des Calabrado River, and the two 
regiments of Wisconsin troops were ordered up 
to support them. At the same time General Wilson 
with his staff moved his headquarters from Ponce to 
Juan Diaz, near the front. Troop C, of New York 
Cavalry, preceded General Wilson, and at one o'clock 
p. M. the City Troop of Philadelphia started on a 
forty-mile march along the coast road to join General 
Brooke at Guayama. Troop H of the Sixth Cavalry 
accompanied them. General Brooke moved the 
Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers up to Guayama to 
join the Fourth Ohio and Third Illinois. 

Colonel Fajardo was enthusiastic over what he 
claimed he could do. He said that in a short time 
he could raise an army of more than 2,000 native 
Porto Ricans, who could defend the west end of the 
American expedition from Ponce to San Juan. 

News from General Wilson showed he continued 
to push forward. His outposts on the 6th were one 
mile to the west of Coamo and fifteen miles from 
Albonito. At the latter place the Spaniards had 
intrenched along the military road leading to the 
capital city. Just beyond Albonito was Cayey, 
which was at the junction of the military road and the 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 429 

road leading from Guayama, along which the com- 
mand of General Brooke moved. Refugees who fled 
from Guayama wlien the town surrendered returned 
and reported that tlie road was mined and defended 
by a strong force of Spanish troops in the vicinity of 
Albonito. General Brooke was now close to Cayey, 
and a collision was expected soon. General Brooke 
would proceed westward from Cayey, and reach 
Albonito about the same time that General AVilson 
arrived, and then would follow a combined attack 
upon the Spaniards, who would be caught between 
the two American forces unless in the meantime 
they took fright and retreated in the direction of 
San Juan. 

Albonito was the only town which stood in the 
way of an uninterrupted march upon San Juan. 
When tliat place was taken the move upon the 
capital would be short and swift, as the road was an 
excellent one. The road was open, and there were 
no opportunities for the Spaniards to resort to am- 
buscades. Rather than fight in the open it was 
believed they would either fly to the north coast or 
unconditionally surrender. 

The signal corps men had taken the barbed wires 
which the Spaniards had been using and made tele- 
graph wires of them. The work was under the 
direction of Colonel Glassford, who, with the aid of 
keyboards, was able to communicate with the army 
in Arroyo, five miles distant. Glassford unwound 



430 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

the wire at the posts and after insulating it had the 
whole line working in two hours. 

At Guayama, the last town to fall into American 
hands, there continued great rejoicing. Cafh and 
business houses of all kinds reopened and the bands 
constantly played American anthems. 

The American warships were still blockading San 
Juan, but it was unlikely that they would be compel- 
led to bombard the place, for it was believed the town 
w^ould be ready to surrender by the time the Ameri- 
can troops began to march upon it from Arecibo, 

The New Orleans, which had been at St. Thomas, 
was ordered to return to blockading duty. On the 
morning of August 8th the American advance 
came upcm a strong body of Spaniards at Coamo. 
None but volunteers engaged in this conflict, proving 
for the thousandth time that volunteers are equal to 
regulars. The troops engaged were the Sixteenth 
Pennsylvania, the Second and Third Wisconsin, 
aided by volunteer artillery. 

The battle opened when the Americans broke 
camp and began to adv^ance on the city. A strong 
line of skirmishers thrown out in advance of the 
army soon struck the enemy's advance pickets. 
These fell back, firing their pieces to warn their 
friends. The Spanish army under General Illeaseas 
hastened to meet the invaders in the suburbs of the 
town. The Americans boldly adv^anced to the 
attack, their line one stream of flashing fire. General 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 431 

Illeaseas, three of his officers and seventeen men 
were killed, about 200 made prisoners and the 
remainder fled. The fight only lasted thirty minutes, 
when the Americans entered the city and hoisted the 
American flac:. There were two blockhouses at the 
entrance to the city which the American artillery 
quickly subdued. 

Additional troops were moved to the new outposts 
and every arrangement made to press the campaign 
vigorously. 

On the 9th of August General Garcia, with about 
8,000 troops, captured the town of Gibara in Cuba. 
Since Garcia had broken off from the American 
forces he refused to co-operate with them, but acted 
independently. Having seized Gibara, he began to 
advance on Holguiu with the intention of laying 
siege to it. 

On the 9th, two hours before daybreak, a severe 
fight occurred about the lighthouse at Cape San 
Juan, Porto Kico. The lighthouse had been taken 
w^hen the American ships first approached the cape, 
and forty-one sailors, commanded by Lieutenant 
At water, Assistant Engineer Jenkins, Ensign Bron- 
son, and Gunner Campbell, were sent to guard it. 
The Spaniards who had hovered in the vicinity made 
the das^h about two hours before daylight. The 
sailors were sleeping on their arms, but seizing them, 
began to fire with wonderful accuracy. The enemy 
poured in an almost incessant fire. William H. 



432 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Boardman of the AmpLitrite, a second-class appren- 
tice, whose liome was at Lawrence, Massachusetts, 
was seriously wounded while in the lighthouse. 

The Spanish advance began from the direction of 
Rio Grande, whither they had retired after the first 
landing of the troops at Cape San Juan the week 
before. They marclied tlirough the village of Lu- 
guilio, pulled down the American flag from Fajardo 
and replaced it ^vith the Spanish colors. Refugees 
from Fajardo warned the lighthouse force that the 
Spanish were coming. 

Sixty women and children were in an outbuilding 
of the lighthouse during the fight. The Spaniards 
opened with a machine gun at a distance of 300 
yards. 

The little tug Leyden, Ensign Crossley command- 
ing, steamed in close to the shore and opened on the 
Spaniards with her one-pounders. Captain Barclay 
of the Amphitrite used six-pounders, while the Cin- 
cinnati brought her five-inch gun to bear. The ships 
landed 250 men during the fight and reinforced the 
lighthouse garrison. 

The marines captured the machine gun used by 
the Spaniards, together with a number of rifles and 
ammunition for it. After the Spaniards had re- 
treated Ensign Crossley took the refugees off and 
conducted them to Ponce in the Leyden. 

Our flag was still on the liglithouse, but our forces 
were withdrawn. The guns of the Amphitrite were 




MaH( him; To iiiK Mkss Hali. at ^Oon. 




A Member of Troop C of Brooklyn, 
Before and After Enlistment. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 433 

trained on the lighthouse, ready to annihilate it if the 
flag was hauled down. This was tlie most impor- 
tant lighthouse on the Porto Rican coast. 

Emmanuel Kourlouiis, a coal-passer on the gunboat 
Bancroft, was killed during a shaip engagement 
with Spanish riflemen at a point of land jutting in 
Cortis Bay, on the south coast of Pinar del Rio, 
August 2d. 

The Bancroft was cruising about Cortis Bay on 
blockade duty, when a sail was seen close to the 
land, about ten miles to the northward. The gun- 
boat's steam launch was armed witli a one-pounder, 
and Lieutenant Henry B. Wilson, with fourteen 
men, all carrying rifles, sent in to intercept the 
strano-er. She turned out to be a Spanish schooner. 
James Monroe, a first-class apprentice, swam to the 
schooner and made a line fast to her in order to pull 
her out. She had worked in a port under cover of 
the fire of a party of Si)aniards on shore. The 
launch then commenced to haul off the schooner, but 
the line parted, and while another was being lun 
to her the Spaniards poured in a murderous ritle 

fire. 

Kourlouris, who was leaning over the side of the 
launch, was shot dead. Instantly the men in the 
launch began a rapid return of fire with their rifles, 
while Lieutenant Wilson maneuvered the launch. 

The schooner had in tlie meantime gone hard 
aground, and being so damaged as to be almost use- 



434 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

less, enough shells were sent into her to finish her 
destruction. 

General Schwan's command, on its way to Maya- 
guez, uncovered a force of Spaniards in the hills 
lying off the Mayaguez road, near Hormigueros, on 
the 10th. The Spaniards occupied a position in a 
northwesterly direction from the Kosario Kiver. The 
entire Spanish force of Mayaguez garrison was said 
to be stationed in the hills. They comprised 1,000 
regular troops and 200 volunteers. A general en- 
gagement followed, in which Private Fernberg of 
the Eleventh Infantry and another private was 
killed. Lieutenant Byron of the Eighth Cavalry, 
aid-de-camp to General Schwan, was wounded in 
the foot, and fourteen enlisted men were also 
wounded. After the engagement General Schwan 
continued his advance upon Ma^^aguez, which place 
he hoped to reach that day. Though he had not 
asked for reinforcements. General Miles sent a Ken- 
tucky regiment with field-guns on board a steamer 
to join him at Mayaguez. General Roy Stone's 
handful of men were before Lares, General Henry 
M^as beyond the ridge on his way to Utuado, and 
General Schwan was to push on to meet him at 
Arecibo. 

General Wilson was moving on steadily and easily 
to Ailjouito, and General Brooke advancing slowly. 
The Spanish would have the choice of retiring from 
Aibopito to San Juan or Lares, or from Arecibo to 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 435 

San Juan or Aibonito. If they preferred to make a 
stand, they had a strong position at Aibonito in the 
mountain passes. General Miles' troops, save the 
engineers, were resting. The latter were repairing 
the bridges on the roads between Coamo and Aibo- 
nito, which was the next point to be attacked, and 
where the Spaniards were waiting in strong force to 
clieck the advance on San Juan. Scouts had been 
sent far out from the main body to locate the roads 
and paths leading to Aibonito, and to learn if the 
enemy's soldiers were between General Miles' camp 
and the city. 

Troop C of Brooklyn, the afternoon of the 9th, 
2:>ushed forward to within three miles of Aibonito. 
They were discovered by the Spanish outposts, and 
fired on by the enemy's artillery, which was in forti- 
fications on a high hill that enabled them to cover 
the military road. The American troopers replied 
to the fire, but were too far away to be effective, 
having: nothins^ but rifles. 

There was a sharp skirmish with the Spanish out- 
posts, but our men escaped without loss. Troop C 
formed the extreme advance of General Miles' army. 
Spanish regulars and volunteers, who fled to the 
hills when the Americans landed in Ponce, feared 
that if captured they would meet with the worst 
torture conceivable. But they came flocking into 
the city to surrender themselves after they had 
learned that Americans had not been guiky of the 



43G HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

atrocities that the Spanish leaders said they would 
practice if ever they gained a landing. 

Spanish soldiers taking the oath and acknowledg- 
ing the dominion of the United States, would, with- 
out doubt, prove more faithful American citizens 
than they had been Spanish subjects. It was be- 
ginning to dawn on them that they had l)een de- 
ceived from childhood as to the fundamental princi- 
ples of the American government. They had been 
taught that Americr s were an avaricious, inhuman, 
and unprincipled } ople, wh( would delight in 
Spanish torture. 

" Viva America) " was the cry that went from 
all quarters of th ty. It was sincere, too, whicli 
was probably mor*; , an could be said of the Spanish 
declaration of frie :< ihip in Santiago after the sur- 
render of that cit^ Consideration and humanity 
marked the Amer, an policy from the time the 
municipal colors were haaded over to the United 
States. 

Swarms of Spanish regilars and volunteers sur- 
rendered themselves each day, and were taken to 
the Cuartel del Infanteria. Almost as quickly as 
they arrived they took the oath and were released. 
Where there was any good room to suspect that the 
prisoners would prove disturbers in the future they 
were held. 

Porto Kican enemies of Spain first betrayed the 
regulars and volunteers who remained in the city to 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 437 

our provost gunrd. To see a friglitened Spaniard 
pounced upon and surrounded by a howling mob of 
Porto Rican enemies of Spain and dragged to the 
Cuartel del Infanteria was such a frequent sight that 
at last it no longer caused comment. The treatment 
of the prisoner after reaching Jail was mild compared 
to that which he received en route, unless American 
soldiers interfered. 

After the prisoners were held a few hours at the 
jail they were examined, if th^'''' showed a desire to 
take the oath, and i - there waj^ ?no evidence to show 
that they had been perjurers, c vere likely to prove 
treacherous, they were allowed ^sign the following 
pledge and liberated : ^ '^■ 

"Headquarters of the MilUary '[Commander of the City 
and District of Pouce, 1898. — This ct titles that , hav- 
ing voluntarily surrendered Kimsrj t'^ the military authori- 
ties of the Unit'?d States, and having olivered or satisfactorily 
accounted for the arms previously it-i his possession, now, by 
his signature hereto appended, agrees to commit no hostile 
act, by word or deed, against the United States or the military 
forces thereof, nor to give aid or comfort of any kind whatso- 
ever to the enemies of the United States. By virtue of which 
pledge, and only during his faithful adherence thereto, the 

said is hereby permitted to pursue the usual avocations 

of a peaceful inhabitant of the island within the lines 
occupied by the troops of the United States. Any violation 
of this pledge will subject the said to punishment." 

This pledge was taken in Spanish and English, so 
that the former Spanish soldier could not possibly 



43d HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

mistake its meaning. It was countersigned by Cap- 
tain Allison, the provost marshal. 

In Porto Rico the war cloud seemed to hover 
dense and black about Aibonito, where the principal 
battle of the campaign, it seemed, would be fought. 
According to the latest information from the front 
there had been heavy cannonading heard in the 
direction of the town. This engagement, if there 
should be one, would in all probability be the last on 
Porto Rican soil, for all believed an armistice would 
soon be proclaimed. 

A reconnoitering party had started to find a route 
to flank the hills, on which 2,500 Spaniards were 
strongly intrenched. Captain Clayton, with Troop C 
of Brooklyn, went with one man close to the enemy's 
position and discovered the lay of the land on the 
other side. There were four fortified peaks com- 
manding a zigzag road, with five different bends, 
and there were other earthworks. 

The artillery was moved up to a point within 
1,700 yards, selected by General Wilson for the 
location of the dynamite guns and light artillery. 
A deep valley intervened, and, except for the dis- 
tance, the enemy was a fair target. One could see 
the white-uniformed Spanish troops sitting on the 
ridges of the trenches, with their feet hanging over. 
As the Americans approached the Spaniards opened 
fire on the road, which was occupied by the men of the 
Third Wisconsin Regiment, acting as outposts. The 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH Sl'AlN. 439 

Spanish battery was stationed on the topmost peak of 
the mountain. A Spanish shell burst over the bead of 
Captain McCoy, of Company L; the fragments 
spread and killed Corporal Swanson and wounded 
Privates Bunce and Vought. 

The Spaniards were shelled out of their original 
position, and for a time their guns were silenced. 
They reopened their fire for a short time later, and 
also began a sharp infantry fire, their volleys show- 
ing that the hillside was swarming with hidden 
infantry, whose smokeless Mausers did not reveal 
their position. Lieutenant Haines, of the Third 
Artillery, w as wounded in this fire. 

Troop C was ordered to retire to Coamo, giving 
way to the infantry and artillery. 

General AVilson sent Colonel Bliss to Aibonito 
with instructions to demand the surrender of the 
town. To this the commandant of the place replied 
that he would send an answer Saturday. 

On the 13th this response was received: 

" Tell the American general if he desires to avoid 
further shedding of blood to remain where he is." 
This came from the Spanish commander, Colonel 
Nuevillas. 

General Miles sent a dispatch to Governor-Gen- 
eral Macias, in which he informed the Spaniards 
that a peace protocol had been signed by the United 
States and Spain. He also informed the governor 
that orders had been received from Washington to 



440 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

suspend hostilities. Instantly a reply was received 
from Governor Macias in which he acknowledsfed 
the receipt of the message from the American 
general. 

It was the intention that the American flag should 
wave over all Porto Rico. With that end in view, 
Lieutenant Eames, of the Nineteenth Infantiy, was 
sent in the wake of General Schwan with a large 
number of the Unitod States emblems, and raised 
them in every town passed on the trip westward. 

Information reached the American headquarters 
that the United States and Spain had signed a peace 
protocol through the French consul at St. Thomas, 
who was instructed by M. Cambon, the French 
ambassador at Washington, to cable the fact to the 
Porto Rican capital. 

But as yet the American army had no official 
knowledo;e of the sig-nins: of the instrument, nor had 
they received any orders to cease hostilities. Until 
they did the advance was to be continued, despite 
all rumors of peace. 

On Aui^ust 14th General Brooke returned to 
Guayama from Arroyo. He reached the former 
place on Friday, the 12th, and at once pushed on 
three miles distant. It was his intention to meet 
and engage the Spaniards who had attacked the 
Fourth Ohio Regiment in that vicinity. The Span- 
iards were found strongly intrenched, and prepara- 
tions were made for a lively engagement. The first 




^ 




-Recruits to uh IMfokmed. :. — Evkuy Soldikr Hi-, own LAr.NDHVMAN', 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 441 

guns of Battery B were being sighted, aiid iu fifteen 
minutes the fighting would have been on. Suddenly 
Lieutenant McLaughlin, of the Signal Corps, w hose 
horse showed evidence of hard riding, dashed up 
with the order from General Miles that hostilities be 
suspended. 

The American troops were disappointed, and 
General Brooke voiced their sentiments when, after 
reading the message, he turned to Lieutenant Mc- 
Laughlin and said : "You came fifteen minutes too 
soon ; the troops will be disappointed." 

The American soldiers had been anxious for a 
long time to engage the Spaniards in a decisive 
battle, and the sudden termination of hostilities after 
their preparations for a lively campaign was not 
received with the best grace. 

From General Brooke's position the Spaniards 
could be seen sitting on the edge of the hill as the 
Americans turned and made their way back to 
Guayama. All the troops of General Brooke's 
command were there. The joy of the natives at the 
announcement that peace had been declared was 
beyond all bounds. In most cases it gave vent to 
its fullness in the cries of " Viva los Americanos !'' 
but in many instances it was evinced in tears of 
delight. 

The peace news stopped all forward movement of 
the American army in Porto Rico. General Wilson 
at Coamo, and General Schwan at Mayaguez were to 



442 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

remain at tliose places. General Henry, wLo was at 
Utiiado, was to return to Adjuntas, and General 
Brooke, who Lad advanced beyond Guayama, returned 
to that town. General Miles expected to do nothing 
pending the arrival at San Juan of the peace com- 
missioners. 

From the headquarters of General Wilson advices 
came Fridaj^, the 20th, at noon, that the orders to 
advance, given to General Ernst's brigade, were 
countermanded upon receipt of the President's order 
to suspend hostilities. 

General Wilson reported, on the 13th, that he sent 
a party with a flag of truce to notify the Spaniards 
of the suspension of hostilities, but the flag w^ns not 
respected. This was by order of Governor-General 
Macias. As General Macias had no communication 
with Madrid, he thus cut himself off from oflicial 
notification of the situation, although natives had 
been sent through the Spanish lines to spread the 
news that a cessation of hostilities had been ordered. 

The Spaniards, who w^ere awaiting the conflict 
with the stoical indifference of the Gallic race, were 
astonished to see the Americans come to a halt. 
The long lines of men in white uniforms could be 
seen from the American outposts. How strange it 
seems that those men would fio-ht and kill each other 
at the command of their rulers, or lay down their 
arms and quit at a moment's notice ! But such is 
war. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 443 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE PEOTOCOL SIGNED BASIS OF TREATY LAST SHOTS 

OF THE WAR — BLOCKADE RAISED ENTERING HA- 
VANA CAPTURE OF MANILA GERMANY's VIOLA- 
TION OF NEUTRALITY THE PEACE COMMISSION 

ITS WORK — CONCLUSION. 

The w^ar was practically over, but the Spaniards 
were still as full of figlit as the Americans. The 
authorities who usually provoke war are usually the 
first to cry enough. The pride and folly of Spain 
had caused the war, and the foolish political system 
of the country of granting commissions to favorites 
had weakened an army of brave men. Now before 
the second decisive blow had been struck on land 
the cowardly Spanish home government sued for 
peace. It was thought by some of Spain's friends 
that she had tact enough to force an American inva- 
sion of the Peninsula, when she would have been 
almost certain of aid from the Powers. But her 
statesmen were too dull to see this fine strategic 
move. In fact, the many fiue movements which 
Spain failed to see would, if written, make a library. 
Overtures for peace, as has been stated, were made 
by M. Cambun, the French ambassador, and on 



444 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

Friday, August 12, 1898, a day memorable in history 
as the close of the Hispano-American war, the 
French ambassador received full power to sign the 
protocol for Spain. 

It was noon before the French ambassador received 
the authority. With kaleidoscopic rapidity that 
afternoon revolved the events upon which tlie des- 
tinies of two nations centered. Immediately after 
M. Cambon received the full credentials empowering 
him to sign the protocol, supplementary to the intel- 
ligence he received the night before, M. Thiebaut, in 
accordance with his instructions, repaired, in the 
midst of a driving rain, on foot, to the State Depart- 
ment, where he was at once ushered into the office of 
Secretary Day. 

There he informed the secretary of state that the 
Madrid government had empowered the French am- 
bassador to sign the protocol which had been agreed 
upon on Wednesday, and that he had called to 
ascertain the hour which would be most convenient 
for the ceremony of signing to take place. It was 
at first determined to have the ambassador call at the 
State Department and sign the protocol in the diplo- 
matic room, but, appreciating the deep interest of 
the President, Secretary Day requested that M. 
Thiebaut wait, and drove to the White House, where 
he saw the President. 

As a result of the conference in the Executive 
Mansion, Secretary Day informed M. Thiebaut, who 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 445 

in the meantime had been reading the engrossed 
copies of the agreement with Assistant Secretary 
Moore, that the President had requested that the 
ceremony occur at the White House, and had fixed 
4 o'clock as the hour. AVith no protection other 
than an umbrella, M. Thiebaut left the State Depart- 
ment and returned to the embassy. At this time 
the rain was coming down in torrents. Expecting 
that the secretary of state would set an early hour 
for the ceremony, M. Cambon was ready, and a few 
minutes before 4 o'clock, accompanied by his 
secretary, he drove to the White House. This 
description of the scene was dictated by one of the 
participants : 

"The protocol was signed at 4:23 p. m. in the 
cabinet room at the Executive Mansion. There 
were present the President ; AVilliam R. Day, Sec- 
retary of State; John B. Moore, Assistant Secretary 
of State ; A. A. Adee, Second Assistant Secretary of 
State; and Thomas W. Cridler, Third Assistant 
Secretary of State. 

" At 4 o'clock the French ambassador, M. Jules 
Cambon, uas announced. He was accompanied by 
his secretary, M. Eugene Thiebaut. They were 
taken to the library, where they had conducted the 
negotiations with the President and Secretary Day, 
and here they were met by Mr. Day and escorted to 
the cabinet room, where they were welcomed by the 
President. Introductions followed and exchanges of 



446 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

courtesies were indulged in by those present. The 
protocols were in duplicate and prepared in alternate 
columns in the EnorUsh and French lano:uao:es. The 
French text, being the one to be furnished to the 
government of Spain, was signed first by M. Cambon, 
representing the government of Spain, and after- 
ward by Mr. Day, representing the government of 
the United States. The other copy, for the use of 
the government of the United States, was first signed 
by Secretary Day and then by the French ambas- 
sador. Upon the conclusion of these foimalities the 
seals of the secretary of state and of the French 
ambassador were affixed by M. Thiebaut and Assist- 
ant Secretary Cridler. 

"After the protocols had been signed and the 
seals affixed a formal interchange of congratulations 
followed between the President and the French 
ambassador, the secretary of state, and others who 
witnessed the ceremony. Before the party dispersed 
the Secretary of War, General Alger; the Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Allen, and Adjutant- 
General Corbin, who had been invited to be present, 
called and joined in the felicitations. 

"Besides the gentlemen named, there were present 
Captain N. F. Montgomery, United States Signal 
Service ; Private Secretary George B. Cortelyou, and 
Assistant Secretary Pruden, all of whom were at- 
tached to the White House staff. Mr. Cridler re- 
turned to the State Department bearing the Ameri- 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 447 

can copy of the protocol, while M. Thiebaut carried 
to the French Embassy, for transmission to Madrid, 
the Spanish copy. 

The provisions of the protocol were as follows : 

"1. That Spain relinquish all claim of, sovereignty over, and 
title to Cuba. 

*'2. That Porto Rico, and other Spanish islands in the West 
Indies, and an island in the Ladrones, to be selected by the 
United States, shall be ceded to the latter. 

'' 3. That the United States will occupy and hold the city, 
bay, and harbor of Manila pending the conclusion of a treaty 
of peace which shall determine the control, disposition, and 
government of the Philippines. 

"4. That Cuba, Porto Rico, and other Spanish islands in 
the West Indies shall be immediately evacuated, and that 
commissioners, to be appointed within ten days, shall, within 
thirty days from the signing of the protocol, meet at Havana 
and San Juan respectively, to arrange and execute the details 
of the evacuation. 

" 5. That the United States and Spain will each appoint not 
more than five commissioners to negotiate and conclude a 
treaty of peace. The commissioners are to meet at Paris not 
later than the 1st of October. 

"6. On the signing of the protocol hostilities will be sus- 
pended, and notice to that effect will be given as soon as pos- 
sible by each government to the commanders of its military 
and naval forces." 

Immediately after the protocol ^^■as signed the 
President issued the following proclamation of 
peace ; 



4^4:3 history of the war with spain. 

"By the Presidnt of the Un'ited States of America. — 
A proclamation. 

''Whereas, By a protocol concluded and signed August 12, 
1898, by William R, Day, Secretary of State of the United 
States, and his excellency, Jules Cambon, Ambassador Extra- 
ordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Eepublic of France, at 
Washington, respectively representing for this purpose the 
government of the United States and the government of 
Spain, the United States and Spain have formally agreed 
upon the terms on which negotiations for the establishment 
of peace between the two countries shall be undertaken; and, 

*' Whereas, It is in said protocol agreed that upon its con- 
clusion and signature hostilities between the two countries 
shall be suspended, and that notice to that effect shall be 
given as soon as possible by each government to the com- 
mander of its military and naval forces; 

"Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the 
United States, do, in accordance with the stipulations of the 
protocol, declare and proclaim on the part of the United 
States the suspension of hostilities, and do hereby command 
that orders be immediately given through the proper chan- 
nels to the commanders of the military and naval forces of 
the United States to abstain from all acts inconsistent with 
this proclamation. 

" In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and 
caused the seal of tlie United States to be affixed. 

" Done at the City of Washington, this twelfth day of 
August, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred 
and ninety-eight, and of the independence of the United 
States the one hundred and twenty-third. 

" By the President, William McKinley. 

"William R. Day, Secretaiy of State." 

The pen to be used in signing the proclamatipn 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 449 

directing a suspension of hostilities was handed to 
the President by M. Thiebaut, who remarked that 
he desired to retain it as a memento of the occasion, 
and the President received it, expressing pleasure at 
the part played by M. Thiebaut in the peace 
negotiations. 

*' God bless you, Mr. President," responded M. 
Thiebaut. 

Evidently the blessing was highly gratifying to 
the President. He thanked the French secretary for 
his words, and then having finished writing, he arose, 
and approaching the ambassador, said : 

" I desire to state my gratification at the exercise 
of France of her good offices to secure a termina- 
tion of the war, and at the same time to express my 
appreciation of your cordial co-operation." 

The President's words were rapidly and accu- 
rately translated by M. Thiebaut, and the ambassador 
heard them with the satisfaction that comes with 
the knowledge of a duty well pei-formed. His reply, 
translated into English by the secretary, was as 
follows : 

"I am extremely gratified that peace has come, 
and am very happy that my disinterested efforts 
have assisted to bring about this great result. It 
will ever be the honor of my career to have colabored 
with the President of the United States in the work 
of restoring peace between two countries both of 
>vhich are friends of France," 



450 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

The War Department at Washington at once 
issued orders by cable to the various military com- 
manders. The following is the order to General 
Merritt : 

"Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, Aug. 
12,1898. — Merritt, Manila: The President directs all military 
operations against the enemy be suspended. Peace negotia- 
tions are nearing completion, a protocol having just been 
signed by representatives of the two countries. You will 
inform the commanders of the Spanish forces in the Philip- 
pines of these instructions. Further orders will follow. 
Acknowledge receipt. 

"By order of the Secretary of "War. 

"H. C. CoRBiN, Adjutant-General." 

In accordance with the proclamation issued by the 
President, suspending hostilities, orders were issued 
to the naval commanders at the several stations in 
the United States, Cuba, and the Philippines, carry- 
ing into effect the directions of the proclamation. 
The Navy Department not only transmitted tlie 
President's proclamation in full to the several com- 
manders-in-chief, but also directions as to the dispo- 
sition of their vessels. The following orders are, in 
that sense, self-explanatory : 

"Navy Department, Washington, Aug. 12. — Sampson, 
Santiago: Suspend all hostilities. Blockade of Cuba and 
Porto Rico is raised. Howell ordered to assemble vessels at 
Key West. Proceed with New York, Brooklyn, Indiana, 
Oregon, Iowa, and Massachusetts to Tompkinsville. Place 
monitors in safe harbor in Porto Rico. Watson transfers his 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 451 

flag to Newark and will remain at Guantanamo. Assemble 
all cruisers in safe harbors. Order marines North in Resolute. 

''Allen, Acting Secretary." 

"Navy Department, Washington, Aug. 13. — Remey, 
Key West: In accordance with the President's proclamation 
suspend immediately all hostilities. Commence withdrawal 
of vessels from blockade. Order blockading vessels in Cuban 
waters to assemble at Key West. 

''Allen, Acting Secretary/' 

"Navy Department, Washington, Aug. 12. — Dewey, 
Hong Kong: Peace protocol signed by the President. Cease 
all hostilities and raise blockade. 

"Allen, Acting Secretary.^' 

In compliance with the orders sent, Admiral 
Sampson and Commodore Remey each sent a vessel 
around the coast of Cuba to notify the blockading 
squadron that the blockade had been raised. Admi- 
ral Schley, beiug on the Brooklyn and included in 
the orders to that vessel, went North with her. 

It was feared that there might be fighting both at 
the Philippines and Porto Kico before the news of 
the termination of hostilities could reach Miles and 
Merritt; yet every effort was made to get the infor- 
mation to the commanding officers. The news of 
the signing of the protocol was cabled to Consul 
Wildman, at Hong Kong, China. He immediately 
chartered a big steamer, which had been held pend- 
ing his order, to carry the news of the armistice to 
Admiral Dewey and General Merritt. 



452 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

There was a typhoon blowing when the steamer 
left, but it was expected it would reach Manila by 
Monday, the 15th, as th« captain had orders to drive 
his engines at full power. The steamer put to sea 
at once, and it was hoped she would reach Manila 
in time to prevent further bloodshed. 

Despite all efforts to avoid bloodshed, on Satur- 
day, August 13th, the day after the signing of the 
protocol, Admiral Dewey bombarded the city of 
Manila, the works were carried by the land forces, 
and the city surrendered. It was then learned that 
Captain-General Augusti, the governor, was not 
there. In utter disregard of neutrality laws the 
German officials took him away to the Kaiserin 
Augusta, the swiftest German cruiser in the bay, 
and conveyed him to Hong Kong, from whence he 
sailed for Spain. Evidence was also given that 
Germany had furnished the Sp:\nish with cannon, 
ammunition, and supplies while Dewey was block- 
ading the harbor. All the complaints of American 
officers and soldiers at Manila to the War Depart- 
ment received little attention. 

The following is Dewey's official report of the 
capture of Manila : 



** Manila, Angnst 13. — To Secretary of the Navy, Wash- 
ington: Manila surrendered to-day to the American land and 
naval forces after a combined attack. A division of the 
squadron sheljed the forts and intrenchnients at Malate, on 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 453 

the south side of the city, driving back the enemy, our army 
advanciDg from that side at the same time. The city sur- 
rendered about five o'clock, the American flag being hoisted 
by Lieutenant Brumby. About 7,000 prisoners were taken. 
The squadron had no casualties. None of the vessels were 
injured. 

" On August 7th General Merritt and I formally demanded 
the surrender of the city, which the Spanish governor-general 
refused. *' Dewey." 



Dewev was thus the beorinuiDcr and tlie end of the 
war with S}>aiu — its greatest naval hero, though 
there were many, very many, other heroes of the 
navy. 

The officials of the War Department, especiall.y 
A. 'W. Greely, Chief of the Signal Corps, were very 
energetic between the hours of 5 o'clock Friday 
afternoon and 1 o'clock the morning of the 13th, 
trying to put a stop to the bombardment that was 
reported to be in progress at Manzanillo. 

It ^^as 5 o'clock. Friday afternoon when General 
Greely received advices of the bombardment by our 
fleet, and he hastened to his office and immediately 
put himself in communication with the vital point. 
He informed Assistant Secretary Allen of the navy 
of the situation. General Greely wrote a long dis- 
patch, in explicit terms, telling General Blanco just 
what had happened, and sent this dispatch direct to 
Hav;ina. 

General Blanco replied, using these words: 



454 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

" Please give General Greely my thanks and most 
affectionate regards." 

Assistant Secretary Allen sent a dispatch via 
Havana on the 13th to the bombarding fleet off 
Manzanillo, and General Blanco sent a dispatch to 
the Spanish troops in Manzanillo. Notwithstanding 
these precautions the conflict continued until 1 
o'clock. 

Meantime, vessels had been sent in from the fleet 
under a white flag of truce, bearing messages explain- 
ing the situation, but these white lights were disre- 
garded by the Spaniards, who scented " a Yankee 
trick." The Spanish paid no heed to them, and 
received the peace-bearing vessel so warndy with 
shot and shell that it had to retire; but after a few 
hours the message from General Blanco was received 
in Manzanillo, and the situation began to clear up. 

Advices were received at Santiago by General 
Shafter Saturday to the effect that Manzanillo was 
bombarded day and night, and again in the morning. 
General Shafter at once cabled to the Spanish com- 
mander at Manzanillo that peace had been declared, 
and requested him to advise the American com- 
mander of the fact under a flag of truce, which he 
did, and the shelling of the town ceased. 

Havana, the great seat of the cause of war, had 
escaped with only a peaceable blockade. Commo- 
dore Howell's fleet on the 12th was in front of the 
harbor. Commodore Howell, in anticipation of some 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 455 

unusual incident, gave orders at night to close in on 
Havana. The blockading fleet had patroled off the 
harbor entrance during the night. 

When morning dawned the flagship, with the 
Sylvia close astern, was within 3,000 yards of Morro. 
Suddenly a battery opened fire with six-pounders to 
get the range. When satisfied they had the flagship 
where they wanted her they opened with ten and 
twelve-inch guns. About twenty shots were fired, 
the shells passing between the San Francisco and 
the Sylvia. As the flagship was rounding to, in 
order to get out of range of the guns, one ten or 
twelve-inch shell struck her stern, tearing a hole in 
the ship, and passing through, exploded in the com- 
modore and captain's cabins, destroying the library 
and furniture. 

Signals were displayed from the flagship not to 
return the fire, but withdraw out of range of the 
Spanish batteries. The Sylvia was manned by 
members of the Brooklyn Naval Reserve, who were 
anxious to engage the Spaniards, but the commodore 
had no orders to attack. 

After the firing the Sylvia was sent in the harbor 
under a flag of truce with dispatches. Steaming in 
under the frowning guns of Morro Castle, which 
were still hot from the shots fired at the Americans, 
the Sylvia set her signals. Tiiey were answered 
shortly by the arrival of a Spanish gunboat from the 
harbor. Courtesies were exchanged, dispatches 



456 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

delivered from General Blanco, and the gunboat and 
the Sylvia parted. 

The nature of the communications it was not pos- 
sible to ascertain, but they subsequently proved to 
relate to the peace negotiations then pending at 
Washington. 

The first American vessel to enter Havana harbor 
after the close of the war was James Gordon Ben- 
nett's Herald dispatch boat Morau. On Sunday 
morning, August 14, 1898, she entered the harbor, 
the first vessel to fly the United States flag since 
Consul-General Lee's departure. The following is 
an account of this event published in the New York 
Herald : 

"Sailing quietly past the guns of old Morro, which 
had hardly cooled after sending a shell into the San 
Francisco, the Moran anchored in the harbor. 

" The Mepiihlic-Herald resident correspondent, ac- 
companied by Lieutenant Vierudigo, of the Spanish 
navy, and a civil officer, came aboard to receive 
me. 

" I went ashore with the resident correspondent 
and the Spanish officers, and with them went to the 
palace to see Captain-General Blanco. We were 
followed by an expectant throng, who waited about 
in the Plaza Armas until we emerged from the 
palace. They followed us then to the office of the 
harbor captain. 

" After our visit to the harbor captain's office we 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 457 

returned on board the Moran, where we found a 
ship's inspector and a custom-house guard. 

"To all appearances Havana is orderly. There 
were large crowds on the promenade, but I was in- 
formed that they were no larger than is usual on 
Sunday afternoons. 

"On my arrival at the palace I was directed by the 
officials to return to the Moran and wait until they 
had come to a decision in regard to permitting me 
to send dispatches. 

"I received permission to send this brief dispatch 
announcing my arrival. So far as I was able to 
judge from the looks of the i:)eople, there^is a general 
feeling of relief in Havana that the war is over. 

" On the faces of many in the throngs there were 
unmistakable marks of the privations they had under- 
gone as a result of the blockade." 

On Monday, August 15th, the same correspondent 
was again permitted to enter Havana, and gave the 
following graphic description of the city and people: 

"Havana harbor lay as unruffled as a country mill- 
pond. Away over toward Rega the French war- 
ship Fulton was at anchor alongside of the Spanish 
transatlantic steamer Madridlena, undergoing repairs 
to enable her to run the blockade successfully. 
These two were the only signs of life in the harbor. 
The picturesque boats that used to iiit about the 
Bay of Havana are now tied up in melancholy rows, 
with furled sails, at the wharf. The old pilot's 



458 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

house on La Cabaleria is deserted. With the excep- 
tion of old MoiTo, there was nothing about Havana 
harbor to-day that suggested the possibility of war. 

" On the contrary, it was a scene of most profound 
peace, but a sad, deathly peace that only war can 
make and keep. Near the mouth of the harbor, and 
at the base of Morro, right in the former track of in- 
coming steamers, were a score or more of rowboats. 
In each of them were one or two men fishing. Their 
appearance indicated that they belonged to the 
poorer class of population, who evidently had taken 
advantage of the warships' departure to get a few 
fish for their families in the hungry city. 

"It was about a quarter-past 9 this morning 
when the Moran sighted the Spanish flag flying 
above the Seguranca battery. Morro had signaled 
our approach, and a lieutenant sent from the castle 
hailed us before the pilot could come aboard, in- 
sti'uctinci: the Moran to anchor outside the harbor 
while he communicated with the captain of the 
port. 

'' While we were waiting permission to enter the 
harbor, Spanish flags began to creep up against the 
blue sky all over Havana. The Moran hung a large 
edition of Old Glory over the stern. 

" In about a half-hour we were boarded by Ber- 
nado Garcia Verdugo, adjutant to the port captain. 
Adjutant Verdugo said that when our mission was 
explained to the port captain he was willing that I 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 459 

should land, although he believed that great precau- 
tion would be necessary. 

"As we entered the harbor and went on up to an 
anchorage indicated about 200 yards from the Cuba- 
leria wharf, crow^ds filled every point of vantage, and 
gazed at us in almost mute amazement. Havana 
apparently began to realize that an American tug 
had tumbled up from the Gulf, and was quietly rest- 
ing upon the rippling waves of the water. A dozen 
Spanish soldiers appeared on the ramparts of Morro 
and stared at the boat. And more came running 
out, Mausers in hand, until the Avails were fairly 
alive with blue-uniformed men, talking together ex- 
citedly and gesticulating. 

" While we talked with Adjutant Verdugo the 
crowds increased, and as I passed up the harbor 
with him I saw wondering throngs on Cortina de 
Caldez, Boquet de Lupunta, and on Muella Cabal- 
leria, where I landed with him in front of the port 
captain's office. 

*' It was Havana's first glimpse of the civil world 
outside since April 22d, when tlie Saratoga sailed on 
the arrival of the American Squadron, with the ex- 
ception of the French Line steamship Lafayette, 
whose entrance was permitted from Washing- 
ton. 

"There was a continuous murmur from the crowds, 
sometimes reaching a high pitch, but I could detect 
nothing threatening in the tones, which remained 



460 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

rather those of wondering, speculative curiosity, 
than of anger or bitterness. 

"As we entered the palace of the captain-general 
officers in uniforms of dark blue, with wide stripes 
of gold braid, cords and tassels, eyed me with a curi- 
osity hardly less, though moderated with better 
breeding, than that of the rabble in the streets. 

" General Blanco's chief of staff. General Solano, 
courteously told me that the captain-general asked 
to be excused from an interview. While both Cap- 
tain-General Blanco and Secretary Congosto refused 
to grant me an audience, I learned one important fact 
about Captain Blanco — that he had sent his resigna- 
tion to the authorities in Madrid and had begged its 
acceptance, stating that he did not wish to have 
charge of carrying out the agreements of the peace 
protocol. 

"General Solano then politely, but energetically, 
urged me to return to the boat as quickly as possi- 
ble, instead of staying in Havana. He explained 
that my withdrawal was asked for my own sake 
only, as they feared I might receive insult and possi- 
bly injury from the rabble, from which they de- 
clared themselves unable to guarantee protection. 

" Crowds followed me to the wharf, preserving 
their same questioning attitude, and when I boarded 
the Moran, boat after boat loaded down to gunwales 
put out from shore and came alongside to ask ua 
what it all meant. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 461 

"With one exception the occupants of all the 
boats were courteous and polite. 

"'News! What news of the war?' was the one 
question asked over and over again. 

" When I asked the men in the boats about the 
condition of things in Havana I found that their 
answers were invariably colored by their political 
opinions. A man with leanings toward Spain would 
describe Havana as tranquil and prosperous. A 
Cuban sympathizer or American ' trimmer 'would say: 

"* Yes, we are suffering; we are starving ! When 
will the good ships come with food V 

"Probabl}^ both statements are true. I am in- 
clined to believe a high Spanish official, who said: 
'Havana is still two months awa}' from the starva- 
tion i)oint.' 

" Rice and a coarse kind of Cul)an beef are still 
•obtainable at fairly reasonable prices, but flour, 
potatoes, beans and cornmeal are now luxuries far 
too expensive for the majority of the people, whose 
health is sufferiuir for want of them. An official 
asked me for a loaf of bread for his wife. 

" ' She is sick,' he said. ' I have money, but I 
know no place in tlie city to buy bread. I have 
had no bread in our house for a month. Do they 
know in the United States how we have taken care 
of the reconcentrados?' 

"I pleaded ignorance of the subject, and he con- 
tinued : 



462 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

"'It was this way. Ferdinand de Castro is our 
local governor. He is a clever man and a philan- 
thropist. De Castro found, after the lied Cross 
Society left, that he had 20,000 reconcenti'ados to 
feed daily, and no money with whicli to buy food. 
He solved the problem by licensing gambling houses 
and applying that money to the relief fund. Gam- 
bles are making money now, because there are so 
many idle men in Havana; so they can afford to pay 
a big license, and the reconcentrados get the benefit 
of it. Ah ! De Castro is a clever man and a human- 
itarian, senor.' 

" * AVe want to belong to the United States, not to 
the Cubans,' half a dozen told me. 

"Crowds in the boats gave us the Spanish version 
of the firinc: on the San Francisco. In the haze of 
Friday morning, they said, the San Fi'ancisco appeared 
off Morro, not more than two-thirds of a kilometer 
from the shore. She was so near that tlie commander 
of the Morro did not believe she came with any hos- 
tile intent, but had tem[>orarily lost her bearings in 
the fog and heavy weather. Morro fired light guns 
once, as a warning, although it is believed in Havana 
that one shot hit her. The San Francisco did not 
reply to Morro's guns, but changed her course and 
put out to sea. 

" The prices of staple groceries to some slight ex- 
tent, I was told, are regulated by an edict of General 
Arola, which forbids all grocers selling at prices 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH STAIN. 4G3 

Iiiglier than the schedule he devised ; but tlie sched- 
ule, my informant says, has not Leen taken very 
seriously. Grocers still continue to charge fabulous 
prices. For example, 100 pounds of flour costs $50; 
bread of inferior quality, made of Mexican flour, sells 
for twenty cents a pound; beans are $1 a pound, and 
condensed milk eighty cents a can ; codfish, $37 a 
case; bacon, $1.20 a pound; eggs, fifteen cents each. 
These prices are on the basis of American gold. 

" From a Spaniard well qualified by long residence, 
intimacy with leading officials, and cultivated powers 
of observation to diagnose the situation, I have 
received the following summary: 

" General Blanco had thought of leaving the island 
before the peace protocol was signed, but a cable- 
gram from the queen regent begging him not to do 
so was sufficient to make him abandon the plan. 

" General Blanco called a meeting of the Council 
of Secretaries Saturday afternoon to inform them 
that the protocol had been signed, but that he was 
unable to say what were the terms stipulated. The 
general retired afterward, while the secretaries held 
a council and passed resolutions which are still kept 
secret. 

" Sunday afternoon the news began to spread 
that General Blanco had reported to the secretaries 
in extra council that peace had been made. The 
theaters were crowded, as usual, but the peace repre- 
sentations that passed from mouth to moutli caused 



464 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

no display of displeasure. The news General Blanco 
communicated yesterday to the secretaries was pub- 
lished to-day. 

" 'AVhen are the provision ships coming ?' is the 
question asked by everyone in the Cuban capital, 
and the 80,000 soldiers comprising the regiments and 
volunteers now in the Province of Havana. This 
anxiety as to supplies even takes precedence over 
questions as to when Americans will take possession 
of Havana, what form of government they will es- 
tablish and whether the Cubans are to be placed in 
possession. 

"The Repuhlic-Herald'^ s dispatch boat obtained 
a newspaper in Havana, from which the following 
extracts are taken : 

'■'^LaLuclia says editorially, August 13th, that ac- 
cording to reports from good authority peace pro- 
tocols were said to be signed and that confirmation 
was expected at an}^ moment. 

" In a dispatch from Manzanilla, dated August 
11th, it is stated : 

" 'At noon the American flagship sent a boat under 
a flag of truce in charge of an oflBcer demanding the 
surrender of the town and granting terms the same 
as given at Santiago, and stating that if not accepted 
within three hours the town would be bombarded. 
Colonel Sanchez Parron, in charge of the garrison, 
refused to accept any terms, and the bombardment 
commenced at 3;35. At 4:30 three ships came closa 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 465 

to shore. The forces from the land opened a fire on 
them, which lasted until 6:30. After that the 
American fleet fired only occasionally. 

" 'We lost eight privates,four volunteers and three 
civilians wounded, some very badly. Several houses 
were destroyed.' 

"Under the heading, * More Details by Cable to the 
Admiral of Havana,' it is stated : 

"'At 9 o'clock this morning six American ships 
came in front of this port. The })iggest was the 
Newark and the smallest the gunboat Alvarado. 

" 'The latter, under a flag of truce, demanded again 
the surrender of the town under the terms granted 
to Santiago, and allowing three hours to answer. 
The military commander refused to accept any 
terms, and three hours and forty minutes later a 
bombardment was begun, the land batteries return- 
ing the fire until 5 i'. m., when only the Newark 
continued in action, firing a gun every half-hour. At 
9 o'clock the firing goes on. The enemy from the 
interior also made a land attack, which was repulsed 
without serious loss on our side.' 

"Another article, dated Matanzas, August 12th, 
says: 

" *A beautiful and very valuable gold medal has 
been presented to the captain of the steam.er Mont- 
serrat, Manuel Deschamps, by the army and volun- 
teers of Matanzas for having successfully run the 
blockade into Matanzas the second time.' 



466 HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

"Zd^ Paz says : 

" 'News about peace has been confirmed, and Ha- 
vana people, who always stood by General Blanco, 
ready to fight till the last moment, must accept 
peace and submit to it, since it was so accepted by 
Spain, which was unable to continue such an unequal 
contest. We must sul)mit to fate and turn our fond 
eyes to our beloved country, which, though con- 
quered now, will in the end raise herself above her 
unremitted misfortunes.' " 

So far as hostilities are concerned the war came to 
an end on the signing of the protocol and the issuing 
of the peace proclamation. Five commissioners, 
three Americans and two Spaniards, \vere to meet in 
Havana and San Juan and arrange for tlie evacuation 
of the islands. That part of the protocol was easily 
complied with, but in the commission to make terms 
of peace there were ten commissioners, five of each 
nation. At this writing the treaty has not been com- 
pleted and we trust that America, so glorious in 
arras, will not be defeated in diplomacy. Two grave 
questions confront that commission. One is the set- 
tling of the question of the Philippine Islands, the 
other is the Cuban debt. 

The so-called Cuban debt consists in Spanish 
bonds quoted on the bourses as '' Cubans." The 
Spanish government issued tliem, and to make them 
more attractive to investors pledged the revenues 



HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 4G7 

derived from customs collections of Cuban 
ports. 

In the protocol there is no reference whatev^er to 
the Cuban debt. The question of the assumption of 
any part of it by this country or by any government 
that the United States may set up in Cuba would 
not be favored by Americans. 

Secretary Day was asked if there would be any 
attempt by Spain in the negotiations of the treaty to 
provide for the transfer of part of this debt. 

" I think not," he said. 

He was asked if Spain had attempted to obtain 
the inclusion of any provision having reference to 
the debt in the protocol, 

"No," he replied, *'the matter was not mentioned." 

It would be a crime for the United States to let 
Cuba be forced to pay the debt, and the American 
people would not submit to the United States pay- 
ing it. 

Senator Foraker in the very beginning pointed 
out some of the very dangers the nation had to pass 
throui^h at the close of hostilities. It is said that 
the pope at Kome owns the largest share of the 
Cuban bonds, that the other principal holders are in 
France, England and America. All these questions 
may come before the commission to meet in Paris 
October 1, 1898, to arrange a treaty. If the Spanish 
members insist that America or Cuba pay the bonds, 
they being five, it will be a hung jury and resort 



46S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 

must again be had to arms or the matter arbitrated 
by other nations. The latter course would in the 
end fix the debt on Cuba or the United States. 

We have reached a stage when a great statesman 
is needed, and the cry is : 

" Oh, for a Blaine — for a Blaine !" 

The costs of the war, according to the Chicago 
Times-Herald of August 11th, is $1,000,000,000. 
Almost five times as much, in proportion, as the 
great Civil War. 

America came out of the struggle triumphant, 
wholly due to her brave and patriotic citizens. All 
sectional feeling has been wiped away, and we are 
more a united nation than ever before. We have 
gathered into one comprehensive whole all factions 
of republicanism, and formed a nation "of the people, 
by the people, and for the people," w^hich has taken 
its place in the very front rank of the great powers 
of the world- 



THE END. 



3477-2 



